Q4 2022 data for the UK’s portable battery collections indicates that 95.6% of the annual target has been achieved so far.
Battery recycling evidence is issued by Approved Battery Treatment Operators (ABTOs) and Approved Battery Exporters (ABEs), and Battery Compliance Schemes (BCS) have until 31 May of this year to obtain enough evidence to meet their combined 2022 obligation.
As in previous years, the UK collection target for 2022 is 45% of the average placed on market (POM) figures from the last three years. The 610 registered battery producers reported a POM figure of 40,027.3 tonnes last year, leaving an indicative collection target of 18,614.2 tonnes. To date, the data indicates collections account for 43.03% of the target, meaning it is likely to be reached by May this year.
Total batteries POM by BCS members and small producers
Total batteries collected in 2022
Note collections do not mean evidence has been raised on the batteries yet, meaning the UK has not yet exceeded the target.
A persistent and well noted discrepancy within the data lies in the difference between lead-acid batteries reported as placed on the market (1,358 tonnes) and reported as collected for recycling (13,294.1 tonnes). This is likely due to a number of reasons, and chiefly due to the intrinsic value of these battery types and the high price of evidence they command.
Addressing disparities
The consultation on reforming the battery producer responsibility system is scheduled to be released later this year, and a top priority will be addressing the over-evidencing of lead-acid types, amongst other reporting anomalies.
The lack of certainty that comes with an indicative target based on in-year placed on market figures is also an issue that will likely be tackled next. The uncertainty means compliance schemes do not know their actual obligation until the end of the year, in turn causing issues related to over or under evidencing.
We can help you set up collection infrastructure
We have thousands of battery collection points across the UK. To discuss how we can help you set up the infrastructure to collect batteries from your retail stores or offices, please call our dedicated collection team on 0333 4330 370 or send an email to collections@ecosurety.com.
