Domestic used batteries collected over the past two years amounted to 9.49 tonnes in 2007 and 10.82 tonnes so far in 2008.
Answering a parliamentary question by Anthony Agius Decelis (PL), Resources Minister George Pullicino said the collection of batteries from local councils, schools and shops cost around €1,160 a month. All collected batteries were weighed, sorted by type and stored until there were enough of them to warrant re-export.
A total of 100 tonnes of used batteries, collected over a number of years, were exported between 2005 and 2006. The re-export exercise had cost €186,000.