January 14, 2004

By: Adalie Schnider
Website: http://www.1st-in-batteries.com

Batteries: Commission requires collection and recycling of all batteries

The European Commission has adopted a Proposal for a new Battery Directive, which will require the collection and recycling of all batteries placed on the EU market. It aims to prevent spent batteries ending up in incinerators or landfills and therefore to recover the various metals used in batteries. Due to the metals they contain, batteries pose environmental concerns when they are incinerated or landfilled. Since thousands of tonnes of different metals are used in battery production, their collection and recycling will also contribute substantially to saving natural resources.

The proposed Directive aims to create an EU-wide framework for national battery collection and recycling schemes and will enhance the proper functioning of the internal market. An Extended Impact Assessment, carried out by the Commission in the preparation of this Proposal, has identified the proposed measures as the most sustainable policy options from environmental, economic and social points of view.

“By aiming to ensure that no spent batteries leak out of the collection and recycling system, this proposal will protect us and the environment from the risks that old batteries pose when they are incinerated or end up in landfills,” said Margot Wallström, Commissioner for the Environment.

“Discussions on a new Battery Directive have been on-going for several years and today we are presenting a concrete and well-balanced Proposal. Its implementation will encourage environmentally friendly behaviour from all actors involved in the battery life-cycle. Most importantly, consumers will have to contribute to environmental protection by bringing back their spent batteries to collection points.”

Approximately 800,000 tonnes of automotive batteries, 190,000 tonnes of industrial batteries and 160,000 tonnes of portable (consumer) batteries are placed on the EU market annually. The metals used in those batteries vary considerably: automotive batteries are mainly lead-acid batteries whereas industrial batteries comprise both lead-acid batteries and nickel-cadmium batteries. The portable battery market consists of general purpose batteries (mainly zinc carbon and alkaline manganese batteries), button cells (mainly mercury, zinc air, silver oxide, manganese oxide and lithium batteries) and rechargeable batteries (mainly nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, lithium ion and sealed lead-acid batteries).

For more information, see batteries for laptop computer.

About The Author:

Adalie Schnider is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-batteries.com.  A great resource for batteries of all kinds including camcorder, laptop, cell phone and more.