International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

Collection methods in Europe have predominately focused on networks of bring back
systems that become increasingly beneficial in cost and environmental terms as
collection rates increase. Reprocessing costs for batteries remain high (with
significant variation according to chemistry), though these may fall as the collected
quantities grow in the face of statutory targets.
Whilst the UK is yet to make its intentions clear in terms of a national collection
infrastructure, experience there suggests that batteries can be efficiently collected as
additions to existing kerbside networks though this may depend upon the nature of
the collection system used. Consumer awareness of the issues around battery waste
is low throughout much of the world. This is the case despite the hazardous nature of
many batteries, which one might have expected to lead to a greater understanding of
the need to reduce and recycle. To overcome this knowledge gap, significant efforts
will need to be made on publicity material to the general public, as their involvement
will be crucial if battery collection targets are to be achieved.
25.14 Prerequisites for Introduction
Producer responsibility is now widely accepted as a vital part of moving towards a
green economy. For those countries who have introduced producer responsibility for
portable batteries, this has tended to come as a ‘second phase’ of products after the
initial establishment of the policy for packaging, WEEE and ELVs. This is not, however,
a prerequisite and the Battery Directive is likely to shift European states to perceive
batteries as a product requiring greater attention than, in many cases, they have
achieved hitherto.
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International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes