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The main requirements of the
UK/EC battery legislation include:
- Take appropriate steps to ensure that spent spent NiCds are collected separately with a
view to their recovery or disposal - gradual reduction, in household waste
- Ensure that NiCds and, where appropriate, appliances into which they are incorporated
are marked in the appropriate manner. The marking must include indications as to the
following points: separate collection; where appropriate, recycling; the heavy-metal
content
- NiCds cannot be incorporated into appliances unless they can be readily removed, when
spent, by the consumer.
You can access the full text of the European legislation using the hyperlinks below.
Collected nickel cadmium batteries are
categorised as special waste and must be managed by a certified waste handler. The precise
requirements of the special waste regulation are summarised below.
EXTRACT FROM
AMENDED (1996) SPECIAL WASTE REGULATIONS AND THE
WASTE MANAGEMENT LICENCING REGULATIONS (1994)
Storage of used nickel cadmium batteries (NiCds) pending recovery
As there are no Ni-Cd recycling facilities in the UK, significant quantities of
these batteries need to be accumulated before it is worthwhile to arrange a shipment. In
order to encourage recycling and the establishment of further collection schemes, we
propose exempting the storage of upto 5 tonnes of waste Ni-Cds . Storage is permitted in a
secure place on any premises of waste which is destined for recovery provided certain
conditions are satisfied. |
The European Commission proposes new
legislation that would require the collection and recycling of all portable batteries. The
European Portable Battery Association supports this initiative provided that the measures
take proper account of what is technically feasible within a realistic time scale and
avoid unnecessary costs, trade barriers and market distortion.
The EPBA has developed technology to recycle general purpose batteries in the metals  industry
but in order to implement it successfully throughout Europe two important steps are
essential. These steps comprise the EPBA "Two Step Plan. To view a copy of the two
step plan click on the image.
Information concerning environmental initiatives by the
battery industry is contained in a BBMA information pack. To receive a copy e-mail Paul Duke
Batteries account for less than 0.001% of domestic waste
More than 98% of primary batteries now contain no heavy metals such as mercury
Silver oxide button cells are the only primary battery that contains materials
sufficiently valuable to enable commercial recycling
Despite extensive trials there has never been any evidence that batteries have had an
impact on the environment, either through their disposal through landfilling or
incineration
Current European Community and UK government battery legislation is based upon control
of heavy metals. The main battery types covered are two rechargeable systems; lead acids
(used in cars) and nickel cadmiums
Future moves to collect all batteries are based upon a desire to minimise the VOLUME of
waste arisings and NOT because of the contents of batteries
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