Date:                        3 June 2008

Embargo:                None

Reference:              ESA

Contact:                   Dr Steven Toole (020) 7591 3219 and s-toole@esauk.org

ESA supports more battery recycling

Following Environment Minister Joan Ruddock MP’s launch of a new “Recycle on the Go” drive to put accessible recycling bins in public places, ESA is supporting more battery recycling.

“In Britain, most batteries end up in either landfills or energy from waste facilities. While Belgium recycles nearly 2 out of every 3 batteries, Britain recycles less than 1 in 30,” ESA Chief Executive Dirk Hazell commented.

“In terms of environmental impact, batteries are far more important than plastic bags, and they should be subject to a robust policy of producer responsibility,” he concluded.

ESA’s comment follows reports yesterday that Britain will face fines of millions of pounds for failing to prepare for a new European law on the recycling of household batteries.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1) ESA is the UK’s sectoral trade association for waste and secondary resource management, an industry accounting for 0.7% GDP.

2) The EU Batteries Directive. When transposed, the directive will reduce the quantity of hazardous and non hazardous waste batteries going to landfill and increase the recovery of the materials they contain. Collection targets set by the directive for portable batteries are 25 per cent. by 2012, rising to 45 per cent. by 2016 (Source: Parliamentary Answer 3 April 2008 Link)

3) Defra Press Release http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/080602a.htm