Lead-acid Batteries Collection Declines

The latest figures on portable battery collection for Q3 indicate the UK is on track to reach the target for 2014, with the amount of lead-acid batteries declining. Around 3,300 tonnes of batteries were collected between June and September, down from Q2, but enough to bring the rate for the first nine months of the year to 30.73%. The UK has a target of collecting 35% of batteries placed onto the market in 2014. As with the previous quarters, lead-acid batteries make up the bulk of the collections at around 80% of the 3,300 tonnes, followed by “other” at 19% and Ni-Cd at 1%.

As previously reported by ecosurety, there are concerns in the industry that a new definition of portable battery, which is being considered by DEFRA, will result in lead-acid batteries being excluded from collection obligations, making future targets difficult to reach. DEFRA has still not released a new date for their consultation on the ‘hand-carriability’ definition of portable batteries but ecosurety sources believe that DEFRA is awaiting final sign-off.

We noted some positives in the figures as compliance schemes had already collected more Ni-Cd and “other” batteries by the third quarter of 2014 than the total for the whole of 2013 or 2012. This matches ecosurety’s efforts in developing our collection networks to ensure the amount of portable batteries recycled continues to increase in line with the targets set.

The figures show that ecosurety is leading the way amongst Compliance Schemes and as a percentage has collected more Ni-Cd and “other” batteries than any other scheme. We will continue to not take the easy route and collect more lead-acid batteries, but increase our collection of Ni-Cd and “other” batteries and hope that others follow our lead.

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