Following a “detailed tender process”, the association said that ERP UK had been appointed by it to set up and deliver the recycling programme.
In a statement the association said that in many other European markets there is already a single collection programme running, with those companies placing the electric bikes onto the market participating along with a large network of retailers who act as collection points for the public.
It added: “The perceived benefits of such a programme are simplicity at retail level, reducing cost and complexity for bike companies and a clear and convenient way for customers to return batteries.”
Fireproof drum
Stephen Holt, Bicycle Association retail trade manager, said: “With millions of electric bike sales ahead of us, this is an exciting initiative that will make it easy for retailers to safely store faulty and expired batteries in one fireproof rated drum – with one phone call when full to get it swapped out. With the support of electric bike producers, we hope to provide a national network of hundreds of collection points convenient for customers.
“We are looking forward to working closely with ERP, who are experts in the construction and implementation of such initiatives.”
‘Delighted’
John Redmayne, managing director of ERP UK said: “ERP UK are delighted to have been chosen by the Bicycle Association as their partner in developing a battery collection service for the sector.With growing numbers of E-bikes in use, the need for the sector to safely and responsibly deal with end of life batteries has been highlighted. We are looking forward to working with the Association and using our experience in engineering circular economy solutions to develop a sector-specific service.”
The association and ERP will begin a trial shortly, the learnings from which will contribute to a proposed national rollout later this year.
ERP UK (ERP – European Recycling Platform) is part of the Landbell Group. Its UK office is based in west London.
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