Batteries: dead but not to be buried

The new regulations will place obligations on battery manufacturers and importers to collect and recycle waste batteries. Producers of portable batteries will be required to join Battery Compliance Schemes in order to meet annual collection targets starting in 2010. Through schemes, producers will have to register with the Environment Agency, report sales and fund the collection, treatment and recycling of waste portable batteries as well as contribute to publicity costs. A significant proportion of industrial and automotive batteries are already separately collected and recycled. The proposed approach maintains much of the established infrastructure that has resulted in the current high levels of collection, while providing a 'producer safety-net'. Producers of industrial and/or automotive batteries will be required to register and report the tonnages and chemistry of batteries they place on the UK market. Disposal of industrial and automotive batteries in landfill or by incineration will be banned. Industrial battery producers will be required to take back waste industrial batteries on an 'old for new' basis, and also be ready to take back any other waste industrial batteries if required. Car battery producers will be required to take back waste automotive batteries on request from final holders such as garages and ELV Treatment Facilities, and Civic Amenity Sites when commercial collectors are uninterested. The consultation will run from today through to 13 February 2009 and seeks views from consumers, businesses and industry on the proposed Regulations and implementation. Full details of the proposed Regulations are available at http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/open-consultations/index.html.