Five million used batteries were exported to Dieuze, in France, for treatment yesterday after spending years in storage.

WasteServ, the government's waste management agency, finally got the green light following a lengthy permit process that started in April last year. It had to obtain documents from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, transit countries and France since batteries are classified as hazardous waste. The batteries will now be treated and disposed of safely.

The local battery collection initiative, which was taken over by WasteServ in 2003, has proved successful enough for this exportation to be arranged.

The batteries, weighing five tonnes in all, were collected separately from shops, schools, local councils, hotels and other outlets.

About six million batteries are imported each year and it is estimated that an average household uses about 15 batteries a year, all of which can be recycled.

The cost of export and treatment, amounting to about Lm1,000 per tonne, is being covered by the eco-contribution being paid when purchasing new batteries.

This consignment includes batteries containing zinc-carbon (alkaline batteries), nickel-cadmium batteries, lithium batteries and button type batteries.

A WasteServ spokesman explained that exporting batteries for treatment required authorisation from the relevant authorities in export, transit and import states in accordance with EC regulations on the shipment of waste.

Because of the shipping route to be used, authorisations were required from Belgium and Spain as transit states, France as import state and Malta as state of dispatch. The final authorisation from the French authorities was issued in May.

WasteServ will continue to disseminate information about separate disposal of batteries in an ongoing effort to avoid this type of waste from being disposed of at the landfill.

Anyone wishing to collect used batteries at their shop, office or school may call WasteServ on 8007 2200 and they will be provided with a special container in which the batteries can be deposited. This battery bin will be emptied on a regular basis.

WasteServ thanked all those who are working hard to collect batteries and safeguarding the environment from the potential contamination which could result from the improper disposal of this hazardous waste.