EA eases regulatory burden on posting batteries

In a position statement published on Friday (May 15), the Agency said that it would allow householders to send any portable batteries through the post, and businesses to send non-hazardous batteries through the post, without the need for a waste transfer note.

It explained that it was relaxing the regulations because they could “inhibit” the important part that postal and courier take-back schemes would play in the UK's battery recycling system, adding that portable batteries pose a “low environmental risk”.

Postal and courier take-back is likely to represent a key collection route for waste batteries when the UK's producer responsibility system kicks in on January 1, 2010, and WRAP's battery collection trials identified post-back as a particularly effective method for collecting batteries from rural areas (see letsrecycle.com story).

A spokeswoman for the Agency told letsrecycle.com that: “This position eases the regulatory burdens when batteries are sent through the post.

“The need for waste transfer notes for non-hazardous batteries no longer applies and, for hazardous batteries, we do not expect the Post Office or courier to complete their part of a consignment note that must accompany hazardous batteries when sent by businesses,” she added.

The position statement also means that, when the Royal Mail or courier is carrying hazardous portable batteries, they will not need to register their premises as a hazardous waste producer.

Conditions

However, the Agency has stressed that its position is reliant on a number of conditions relating to the transport and storage of the batteries.

The spokeswoman explained that: “This is dependent that caveats to ensure batteries are stored and transported safely are met – including batteries must be sent to a place that is authorised to receive them and there is no risk to the environment or health.”

“In particular, it is essential that batteries are stored and transported in full compliance with the carriage of dangerous goods legislation,” she added.

Among the conditions for household batteries are that the Royal Mail or courier must be a registered carrier, the batteries must be sent in a sealed container and the final destination of the batteries (the address they are sent to) must have an “appropriate authorisation” for recovery or disposing of waste.

The same conditions apply for hazardous portable batteries being sent by post, but they must also be accompanied by a consignment note, and the business must meet the requirements of the Hazardous Waste regulations.

And, with regards the addressee of the batteries, the position statement requires that they be registered as a hazardous waste producer, if the batteries are to be moved on elsewhere, and that they utilise the relevant paperwork for hazardous waste.

The Environment Agency has said it will review its position by March 31 2010.