Battery recycling needs UK investment, says minister

Currently, there is no consumer battery recycling plant in the UK and the relatively small quantities of consumer batteries collected are shipped to France. Proposals for the Battery Directive include setting a collection target per person per year of 160g of portable batteries for four years after the Directive is transposed into European Law.

” Success with the objectives of the directive would require new investment in capacity in the UK“
– Energy minister Stephen Timms

Speaking at a European Standing Committee debate in parliament on Wednesday (28.04.2004), Mr Timms said the “challenging” 160g collection target is equivalent to 9,600 tonnes a year in the UK, which is close to 42% of battery sales. The target is likely to be set for 2011.

The Minister said in order for the government to meet the collection and recycling targets dedicated consumer battery recycling plants are needed in the UK. “Success with the objectives of the directive would require new investment in capacity in the UK,” he said.

But Mr Timms added it is thought that once companies recognise the market opportunity in recycling and have assured tonnages they will be will to invest in plants. He said: “Once some 400 or 500 tonnes of product are available for recycling, it is likely that companies will find it economically attractive to set up such a plant, and that will be a big step forward.”

Analysis of transporting collected batteries for processing outside the UK has estimated the cost of meeting the Battery Directive at 1p per battery, Mr Timms said, but he hoped new UK capacity and other initiatives would hopefully reduce this.

As a piece of European environmental legislation, the revised Battery Directive will require producer responsibility, making manufacturers and importers financially responsible for the costs of recycling batteries.

Mr Timms announced that the government will issue a consultation document next month, aiming to collate the views of manufacturers, retailers, local authorities and consumer groups. Responses to this document will be used to inform the government's policy and negotiating line at European level.