Valpak sets up battery collection network

New legislation on the recovery and recycling of used batteries is due to become law in April 2009.

Producers of batteries or equipment containing batteries, such as cordless tools and personal electronic items, will have to fund the collection and recycling of used batteries, and most battery retailers will have to collect used batteries in their stores.

Under the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, all battery producers will have to register with an approved compliance scheme.

They will then have to provide quarterly information relating to the amounts and types of batteries that they sell, which compliance schemes will amalgamate and submit to the Environment Agency.

Those that produce more than 3 tonnes a year will also have to fund an amount of used battery collection and recycling based on the weight they sell.

From the beginning of 2009, Valpak has been offering free membership of its battery 'pre-compliance' scheme to existing packaging and WEEE compliance members.

The company is now planning to offer its pre-compliance service, free of charge, to any potentially obligated UK business.

It will be Valpak's job to organise used battery collection and recycling on behalf of its producer members.

As with WEEE, Valpak is looking to build on the existing collection network, which local authorities, retailers and others have helped to establish, to collect, recover, recycle and treat batteries.