Battery collections get off to a solid start but must do more

The volume of waste portable batteries collected for recycling has jumped considerably since new regulations came into force at the start of the year, but collection rates will have to rise further if this year’s 10% target is to be met.

Environment Agency figures released in June show 850 tonnes of batteries were collected – 8.6% of the volume placed on the market by major producers (ENDS Report 419, pp 30-33).¹ Last year’s recycling rate was about 2% (ENDS Report 422, p 19).