Major supplier chooses route for battery recycling

In 2008, the UK only recycled 2.8% of all batteries put onto the market, with the vast majority of waste batteries being disposed of in landfill sites. Most batteries contain heavy metals, and when battery casings corrode, these metals can enter ground water and threaten not only the environment but also the quality of drinking water. Part 2 of The Batteries Directive, The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, which came into force on 1st Feb 2010 has set a target for recycling of 25% by 2012, and 45% by 2016. Legislation includes requirements on battery labeling and design and on the collecting, treating and recycling waste batteries and accumulators. Most portable and industrial batteries can be recycled at RS Trade Counters. Alternatively, BatteryBack has now established over 2000 battery collection points, a figure that is growing daily and aims to have 30,000 sites by the end of 2010 and over 60,000 by the end of 2012. RS customers can also arrange for BatteryBack to collect waste batteries free-of-charge from their premises, provided the weight of portable batteries exceeds 30kg.