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FREE TAKE BACK OF WASTE BATTERIES KICKS OFF TOMORROW

25/09/08

A New Recycling Opportunity– Gormley

 
From tomorrow, final users of waste batteries will be entitled to return them free of charge, either to retail outlets selling equivalent batteries, or other authorised collection points, including local authority civic amenity sites.  No purchase is required in order to return waste batteries. This is all part of a new EU Directive on waste batteries that comes into effect across the European Union tomorrow, 26 September 2008.  Ireland is to the forefront of EU member states that will have the Directive fully transposed & operational from the commencement date.

Launching the new recycling scheme today (25 September 08), the Minister called on businesses and the public service to take a lead in providing space for receptacles storing waste batteries, as the achievement by Ireland of mandatory collection targets for portable batteries will be dependant on the number and accessibility of collection points.  Producers will be responsible for the financing of the collection, treatment, and recycling and environmentally sound management of waste batteries.  The targets for portable batteries to be met under the Directive are challenging: producers must collect 25% of what they place on the market by 2012 and 45% by 2016.

The Minister also announced that he has approved two producer collective compliance schemes to be run by European WEEE Platform Ireland Ltd. (ERP) and WEEE Ireland. These schemes are already working successfully in the recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).  “Exploiting synergies with existing WEEE collection and recycling systems will help ensure that Ireland meets it collection targets”, he said.

Workplaces and schools, subject to the agreement of local management, can also be designated as collection points.  This is to maximise take back arrangements for members of the public by providing collection points in addition to those at retail outlets and local authority civic amenity facilities. 

The Minister said that implementation of the battery take back scheme was the result of two years work undertaken by the Batteries Working Group which was established in July 2006, and includes representatives of the battery industry, retailers, manufacturers, IBEC, SIMI, the waste management sector, local authorities and the EPA. 

“As with all waste streams, every effort should be made to minimise the volume of waste batteries.  Therefore, I would urge the public to consider the use of re-chargeable batteries. The battery recycling schemes are part of a permanent regime, underpinned by regulations aimed at improving the environmental performance of all those who manufacture, distribute, sell or use batteries. All stakeholders need to ensure that the critical start-up phase is managed effectively so that the new scheme can move forward on a sound basis”, the Minister concluded.

Please see below for further information or go to the Batteries page or the WEEE page on this website.

ENDS


Media queries:
Press and Information Office
Tel: (01) 888 2638  (direct)
(01) 888 2000
E-Mail: press-office@environ.irlgov.ie
Web site: www.environ.ie

 
Note for Editors

Batteries Directive1

The Batteries Directive entered into force on 26 September 2006.  Previous Directives on batteries contained no collection or recycling targets.  Consequently many batteries still end up in landfill.

The Directive applies to all types of batteries and rechargeable batteries (which are known in the trade as accumulators) including any incorporated into electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and/or battery packs, regardless of their shape, volume, weight, material composition or use with the exception of batteries and/or accumulators used in equipment –

· connected with the protection of Member States' essential security interests, arms, munitions and war material (with the exclusion of products that are not intended for specifically military purposes) and/or
· designed to be sent into space.

Free Take Back

From 26 September 2008 onwards all battery retailers will be required to take back, free of charge, waste batteries including rechargeable batteries including those incorporated into electrical and electronic equipment and/or battery packs. 

Any person depositing waste batteries at the premises of any battery retailer will not be obligated to purchase any product or products from the retailer concerned.

Prohibitions

Producers will be prohibited from placing –

· batteries, including re-chargeable batteries (known in the trade as accumulators) that contain more than 0.0005% of mercury by weight;
· portable batteries (e.g. AAA, AA, PP9, D etc.) and portable accumulators that contain more than 0.002% of cadmium by weight.

on the market. 

The mercury prohibition will not apply to button cells with a mercury content of no more than 2% by weight,

The cadmium prohibition will not apply to batteries and/or accumulators intended for use in emergency and alarm systems, including emergency lighting, medical equipment, and cordless power tools.

Financing

Producers will be required to finance any net costs arising from –

· the collection, storage, treatment and recovery and/or disposal of waste batteries and/or accumulators including those incorporated into EEE and/or battery packs, and
· any public information campaign on the collection, storage, treatment and recovery and/or disposal of portable batteries and/or portable.

Targets
Each producer shall be required to collect, as a minimum, no later than –
· 26 September 2012, 25%, and
· 26 September 2016, 45%
of the quantity by type of portable battery he or she places on the market.

The Directive also prescribes minimum recycling efficiencies that must be achieved by recycling facilities procured by producers.


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