Data published on the Agencys National Packaging Waste Database shows that 13.33% of waste portable batteries were being collected by compliance schemes by the third quarter (July-September) of 2011 -higher than the the 12.48% collection rate predicted by battery compliance schemes in their viable plans.
In fact, the tonnage collected in the third quarter (2,437 tonnes) was significantly higher than that collected in the first two quarters of the year, meaning that only 2,063 tonnes will need to be collected in the final quarter to meet the indicative obligation for 7,949 tonnes for 2011 (see table below).
As a result, Chris Grove, senior advisor for environment and business at the Environment Agency, said he believed producers should meet the 18% target.
He said: The Q3 data recently published shows that are we are currently on target to meet the 2011 collection target.
Lead acid
However, some concerns have been raised over how exactly the jump in the quarter three collection rate was achieved. While the tonnage of lead acid batteries collected soared from around 1,200 tonnes in the first quarter to almost 2,000 in quarter three, the collection rates for nickel cadmium batteries only increased slightly, while the collection rate for other types of batteries, such as alkaline batteries, actually fell.
Phil Conran, of consultancy 360 Environmental, said the numbers suggested that the collection targets were being met through the collection of a disproportionate amount of lead acid batteries rather than other chemistries. In fact, the 1,956 tonnes of lead acide batteries collected in the third quarter of 2011represents 102% of the lead acid batteries placed on the market in the same period.
He said: Now we have passed the 100% mark with lead acid portables, it does suggest that perhaps BIS and the Environment Agency should review the effectiveness of these Regulations to ensure that they are actually achieving what they were supposed to.
Commenting on this issue, Mr Grove acknowledged the increased in the collection of lead acid batteries but said that battery schemes were entitled to collect this type of battery in meeting their obligations. He said: The EA will continue to monitor the approaches being used by battery compliance schemes in meeting their targets, and will ensure that these approaches are in accordance with the Batteries Regulations.
Mr Grove added that battery compliance schemes had operational and viable plans in place that detailed how they meet the annual targets.
The EA is working with the industry and taking action where necessary to ensure systems are in place to meet the important 2012 target, he said, referring to the first legally binding target under the EU Battery Directive for the UK to recycle 25% of portable batteries by the end of 2012.
Waste portable batteries collected by battery compliance schemes in 2011
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