Waste battery collection rate jumps to 16.15%

The proportion of waste portable batteries collected for recycling jumped from 9.15% in the first three months of 2010 to 16.15% in the second quarter, figures published by the Environment Agency this week (September 1) have revealed.

The data, which was issued by the Agency's National Packaging Waste Database division, means that the UK is on track to reach the first interim target set by the Batteries Regulations for it to collect 10% of waste portable batteries for this year, with the collection rate for the first half of the year averaging out at 12.58%.

However, the UK will need to almost double this collection rate in less than two years if it is to reach the first legally binding waste battery collection rate set by the European Union's Batteries Directive, which is 25% for 2012.

In tonnage terms, 9,033.742 tonnes of portable batteries were placed on the market by producers who are members of a battery compliance scheme between April and June 2010, while 1,459.193 tonnes of waste batteries were collected for recycling.

And, for the first half of the year, 18,448.050 tonnes of batteries were placed on the market, and 2,320.265 tonnes were collected by battery compliance schemes for recycling.

The growth in collection rates would appear to bear out the comments made by some compliance schemes after the first quarter figures were published that it would take some time for collection networks to begin to produce yields (see letsrecycle.com story).

In particular, with the obligation on larger retailers to provide free in-store take-back of waste batteries only coming into effect on February 1 2010, the second quarter represents the first full period when the retail sector has had a statutory role to play in the collection system.

Retailers have claimed previously that, while the 10% collection goal was missed in Q1, there were significant quantities of waste portable batteries awaiting collection by compliance schemes from stores (see letsrecycle.com story), and the latest figures would appear to provide evidence of this.

Second half of 2010

The sector will now be eagerly awaiting figures for the second half of 2010 – where portable battery sales are traditionally expected to increase in the lead-up to Christmas – to see if the collection rate can be maintained, or improved, across the year as a whole.

The next target for battery compliance schemes is the interim collection goal of 18% for 2011, followed by 2012's statutory 25% target.