Ban on binning used batteries

Oldham households have to recycle batteries from today under new EU rules.

All waste batteries will have to be recycled under the new batteries directive.

It aims to put an end to the 600 million portable batteries dumped in UK landfill sites each year.

Currently both Oldham’s household waste-disposal sites at Arkwright Street in Oldham, and Beal Hey in Shaw, have containers for portable batteries.

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said if there was a boom in battery recycling, the council would take care of it, adding: “If people recycle more we will facilitate it — we will give them the tools to do the job.”

Shops and stores selling batteries will also have to have a recycling bin where people can take their expired batteries.

Battery company Varta said the average UK household contained approximately 21 batteries which, if disposed of in general waste bins, ended up in landfill which was rapidly running out.

Vince Armitage, head of Varta, added: “Households need to be aware that next time the batteries run out in their remote control, alarm clock or smoke alarm, they can’t just head straight for the bin. All batteries, regardless of size or purpose, have to be recycled at specified drop-off points.

“It may sound like more of a chore, but the directive has actually made it really easy for consumers.

“All retailers that sell reasonable quantities of batteries will have to provide a collection point, so when you buy a new pack just drop the old batteries off at the same time.”

Under the directive, the UK has new responsibilities on how batteries are recovered, treated and recycled and targets have been set.

“By 2012, the directive requires that 25 per cent of waste batteries in the UK are recycled, rising to 45 per cent by 2016. Currently, the UK recycles only 3 per cent of portable batteries.