Battery Recycling scheme from September 26th.
From September 26th 2008 the public can bring back their waste batteries to their local battery retailer for recycling.
New Battery Recycling Scheme comes into effect September 26th 2008.
FREE TAKE BACK OF WASTE BATTERIES KICKS OFF SEPTEMBER 26TH
From September 26th 2008, 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 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.
Questions and Answers on the new Battery Regulations. (pdf - 157 kb)Environment Section
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