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Published on June 9th, 2009

U.K. Enforces Law to Increase Battery Recycling

by Trey Granger

British retailers selling more than 32 kg (approximately 70 pounds) of batteries per year are now required to offer free collection and recycling under a new British law that takes effect Feb. 1, 2010.

The law is part of Britain’s goal of recycling 25 percent of its household batteries by 2010. Currently the U.K. recycles less than 5 percent of its batteries.

Batteries are identified by the product they’re used for (”car battery,” “cell phone battery,” etc.) or its size ( “9V”, “button cell”). But for scientific purposes, batteries’ names are based on the metals they contain. Photo: Bathesdagreen.wordpress.com

Batteries are identified by the product they’re used for (car battery, cell phone battery, etc.) or its size (9V, button cell). Batteries’ names are based on the metals they contain. Photo: Bathesdagreen.wordpress.com

Some retailers are already rolling out recycling programs, such as Morrisons. Retailers have to register a compliance plan by October 15 and will be required to post information about battery recycling at the point-of-purchase.

A recent Scotland poll showed consumers had little knowledge of where to recycle batteries, and only one retailer offered battery recycling.

In the U.S., the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation offers a free rechargeable battery recycling service for retailers.

The RBRC was founded by the rechargeable battery industry in order to properly dispose of rechargeables and products that use them (cell phones, laptops, power tools, etc.). The batteries are deemed hazardous because they contain heavy metals such as cadmium.

Trey Granger

Trey Granger

Trey Granger is a staff member at Earth911.com.

More articles by Trey


2 Comments

  1. A Sign of Things To Come? U.K.’s Battery Recycling Law Taking Full Effect

    posted on June 9th, 2009 at 12:53 pm

    [...] of now there is no such law for battery retailers here in the United States. As our friends at Earth911 point out, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation(RBCR) offers a free rechargeable battery recycling [...]

  2. Nationalized Recycling? Duracell Takes Part in Europe’s Mandatory Recycling Program

    posted on September 30th, 2009 at 9:56 am

    [...] of now there is no such law for battery retailers here in the United States. As our friends at Earth911 point out, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation(RBCR) offers a free rechargeable battery recycling [...]

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