UK&#39s first household battery recycling plant opens

Previously G&P; Batteries had been collecting batteries from local authorities and sending them abroad to be recycled, but with the opening of its new 250,000 plant will allow the recycling of batteries to remain in the UK.

The separation table at the new G & P battery recycling plant in West Bromwich

G&P; Batteries currently has around 100 local authorities collecting batteries and managing director Michael Green believes the addition of the new site could encourage more authorities to begin collections.

He said: “Many local authorities are put off when they find out that the batteries have to go abroad to be recycled, with a site in the UK available we hope that more authorities will want to work with us.”

The original estimated capacity at the plant was believed to be 500 tonnes a year, but early indications show it is likely to be 630 tonnes each year. Mr Green said that this was running one shift and the true capacity of the site if run over 24 hour periods could reach over 1,800 tonnes a year.

Awareness

In a message of support for the new plant, environment minister Elliott Morley said: “G&P; Batteries is providing the UK with a new facility and I hope today's opening will prove significant in raising awareness of the desirability of collecting batteries for recycling and starting a debate about the UK's obligations under the forthcoming EU batteries directive.”

Mr Morley said the Battery Directive is expected to come into force by the middle of 2006. Six years after its implementation, the UK will need to be recycling 25% of waste portable batteries and accumulators, with 45% being recycled four years after this.

”This is the first time in 20 years that I have come to a plant where somebody has anticipated a change in legislation. “
– Caroline Jackson MEP
Also speaking at the launch of the site was MEP Caroline Jackson, who is chair of the European Parliament's environment committee. Dr Jackson praised G&P; Batteries for its early efforts with regards to batteries, saying: “This is the first time in 20 years that I have come to a plant where somebody has anticipated a change in legislation.”