Europe – battery recycling continues to grow

The European Battery Recycling Association (EBRA) reports that 30,870 tons of portable batteries recycled in 2006 EBRA‘‘s members recycled 30,870 tonnes of portable batteries in 2006 (including 5,100 t coming from outside the EU-25).



Compared to 2005, this is an increase of 19% (25,850 tons were recycled in 2005). In more detail, the quantities of batteries recycled by EBRA‘‘s members are as follows:





26,928 tonnes of primary alkaline-manganese, zinc-carbon and zinc-air batteries (+ 23% compared to 2006)

3,942 tonnes of other portable batteries

3,050 tonnes of industrial nickel-cadmium batteries.



The quantity of industrial Ni-Cd batteries recycled is marked by a slight decline (3,200 tonnes in 2005), because of the fact that EU-customers prefer maintenance-free lead acid batteries since several years, due to lower investment cost. The total of recycled batteries was 33,919 tonnes (+ 17% compared to 2006). What is striking is that the quantity of batteries recycled decreased slightly in all categories except primary batteries and portable nickel-cadmium batteries (+ 4,7%). These results can appear slightly paradoxical when the boom of new technologies that use these kinds of batteries is considered.



This is particularly true for rechargeable batteries (lithium-ion and nickel metal hydride especially used in laptops, cell phones and other wireless equipment used in the home). If the number of batteries put on the market is compared to the rate of recycling, the quantity sent for recycling is not as great as expected due to the ‘‘hoarding effect‘‘ (consumers keep at home these portable batteries – used or not – in appliance or alone).



Just as last year, most of the batteries are recycled in plants located in France (9,080 tonnes) and in Germany (9,019 tonnes). The quantity recycled in these countries is still improving. Excluding industrial batteries, this growth was 19% for France and 40% for Germany. These countries keep their leadership because the majority of EBRA members are located in these countries and they countries of large markets for battery consumption.



Thus they are fertile lands for recycling industries. Other countries with recycling operations that are members of EBRA are Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, Austria, Sweden, Spain, UK and Czech Republic. It is interesting to note large increases in batteries sent for recycling from Ireland (114 tonnes, + 5,886% without industrial batteries which remain a minor party of the batteries recycled), and Greece (+ 348%) with 193 tonnes of portable batteries recycled.



Furthermore “small” countries such as Lithuania or Malta, are developing really quickly in the area of battery collection. Some countries appear as growing markets and seem to be particularly motivated: they are becoming aware of the importance of recycling batteries and have made notable efforts, even if there is still a long way to go, the start they have made is admirable.