Batteries and accumulators are indispensable to our fast lifestyle. Cars, phones, music, cameras and even our daily planners make our lives convenient and instant because of the power supplied by batteries.

In Malta alone we import and use approximately six million batteries and 60,000 accumulators each year. As we continue to make our lives easier with these portable items, battery and accumulator disposal is becoming an environmental challenge.

While the exact chemical make-up varies from type to type, most batteries contain heavy metals which are the main cause for environmental concern. When disposed of incorrectly, these heavy metals may leak into the ground when the battery or accumulator casing wears away. In turn, this may contribute to soil and water pollution and endanger wildlife.

The battery recycling initiative launched by WasteServ has proven to be extremely successful as WasteServ prepares to export approximately 50 tonnes of batteries, collected from households, shops, schools and other outlets, to France for treatment - approximately three containerloads. Accumulators are currently passed on to a local sub-contractor, who on his own initiative exports these for recycling.

The treatment process in both cases involves the recovery of metals. There are several different recycling processes for batteries and accumulators. Lead can either be recovered from accumulators by separating the different materials that make up the accumulator (lead, plastics, acid, etc.) prior to metallurgical processing. Alternatively, batteries can be processed as a whole through heat treatment in a particular type of furnace with metals being recovered at the end of this process.

If you would like to collect used batteries at your shop, office or school, call WasteServ on freephone 8007-2200 for a special 'battery bin' which will be emptied regularly. Alternatively e-mail: info@wasteservmalta.com.