New EU rules on batteries from today

Malta must adhere to new European Union rules regulating the disposal of used batteries and setting targets for their recycling.

As a new EU directive agreed two years ago by the European Parliament and member states enters into force today, the European Commission yesterday warned those member states that have not yet introduced this legislation to do as soon as possible if they want to avoid legal action.

Until yesterday, only seven member states, including Malta, had transposed the new directive into their national laws.

The new rules impose targets for collecting spent batteries ranging from regular to those used in mobile phones and laptops. By 2012, a quarter of all batteries sold must be collected once they run out and recycled. By 2016, the target will rise to 45 per cent.

Distributors will be required to take used batteries and accumulators back at no charge. The rules also determine how batteries must be recycled once collected.

Use of mercury and cadmium in batteries is restricted under the rules and dumping car and industrial batteries in landfill sites is banned.

European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said that the revision of the Batteries Directive represents another important step towards the goal of turning Europe into a recycling society.

"By setting collection targets and requiring recycling, this legislation will also help to protect the health of European citizens and contribute to making consumption and production in the EU more sustainable," he said.

Batteries contain a range of metals that are harmful to human health and the environment, including in some cases hazardous heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury. Collecting and recycling waste batteries prevents these substances from getting into the environment and saves energy and natural resources.