Waste Batteries

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WASTE BATTERIES

Members of the public should not place waste batteries in landfill or recycling bins.  All waste batteries must be collected & recycled by depositing them at retail outlets or local authority recycling facilities free of Charge.

European Union (Batteries and Accumulators) Regulations 2014

These Regulations are designed to promote the recycling of waste batteries. They will facilitate in particular the achievement of the targets for the collection, treatment, recycling and disposal of waste batteries in an environmentally sound manner established by European Parliament and Council Directive 2006/66/EC on batteries and waste batteries and repealing Directive 91/157/EEC.

The Regulations impose obligations on persons who supply batteries to the Irish market, whether as retailers, importers or manufacturers. An exemption from these obligations is available to persons who participate in a scheme for the collection, treatment, recycling and disposal of waste batteries in an environmentally sound manner operated by an approved body.

From the 26th September 2008, final users of waste batteries are entitled to return them free of charge, either to retail outlets selling equivalent batteries, or other authorised collection points, including local authority recycling centres. No purchase is required in order to return waste batteries. Any retailer that sells batteries must accept waste batteries from members of the public at the premises. All shops selling batteries must have containers to take back the batteries and signage telling the public at the points of sale. No purchase is needed for a member of the public to bring in waste batteries to a shop.

BATTERIES

A battery (or accumulator) is defined in the Battery and Accumulator regulations as any source of electrical energy generated by direct conversion of chemical energy and consisting of one or more primary battery cells (non-rechargeable) or consisting of one or more secondary battery cells (rechargeable).

There are 3 types of batteries that are covered under these Regulations:

• Portable batteries (including those found in blister packs used in household applicances, toys, mobile phones, remote controls, button cells used in cameras, watches etc.)
• Industrial batteries (including those used in forklift trucks, electric pallet trucks, electric vehicles and golf buggies) and
• Automotive batteries (ignition/starter batteries in cars, vans, trucks and boats).

Any person or organisation that manufacturers, produces, imports and/or sells batteries in Ireland has certain obligations to meet as set out in the regulations. Further information on producer and retailer/distributor obligations can be found by following the appropriate links below. Producers opting to self comply with the Battery Regulations are required to submit annual reports and three yearly plans to the EPA.

IMPORTERS AND/OR MANUFACTURERS

Organisations who supply batteries onto the Irish market for the first time either as an importer or manufacturer have obligations under the European Union (Batteries and accumulators) Regulations 2014. This includes the supply of batteries incorporated into equipment, vehicles and/or products.

 

RETAILERS

 Do you supply....

o Portable batteries (AA, AAA, D cell, C cell, 9V and/or button cells for household use);

o Toys (with batteries included);

o Electrical goods such as: televisions, torches, power tools, cameras, novelty gifts or other small household electrical items that contain batteries; 

If so, you have obligations under the Battery Regulations. 

Further information 

END USERS OF BATTERIES

Waste batteries must be separately collected for recycling and recovery of resources and the producer is responsible for arranging and financing this.  They must not be disposed of in general refuse or mixed waste streams and free take-back must be provided to all end-users.  This applies to both household and non-household end-users.  A system for the free-take back of waste batteries from the household waste stream is well established through retail outlets and civic amenity sites.

End users of batteries can dispose of their waste batteries in the following ways:

• Return them to any retailer selling equivalent types of batteries i.e. retailers of car batteries do not have to accept portable batteries if they don't sell them.  You do not need to buy new batteries in order to return waste batteries to your local retailer. 
• Portable waste batteries can also be taken to your local civic amenity site free of charge.

Remember:

waste batteries should never be placed in your household bin!

Look out for the FREE battery recycling box at your local shop

Contact Galway County Council at 091-509510 or environment@galwaycoco.ie for

further information.