Greens remind consumers to recycle used batteries
-One third of batteries purchased at Christmas
The Green Party joined up with Santa Claus today to remind consumers to recycle waste batteries during the Christmas period. One third of Ireland’s batteries are purchased in Ireland at Christmas and the Party is calling on the public to avail of the free battery recycling facilities in shops and at other recycling centres.
Green Party Senator Deirdre de Burca said: “80 million batteries are placed on the Irish market every year and up until now, 75% of these ended up in landfill. Many of the toys, games and gifts received on Christmas day will be powered by batteries and we want to remind consumers how easy it is to recycle waste batteries at any shop that sells batteries or at local recycling centres.”
Battery recycling is free of charge and the every battery producer must take back 25% of what they put on the market by 2012 and 45% by 2016.
“These are achievable targets if we as consumers put in the effort,” said Senator de Burca. “We would also encourage consumers to consider buying rechargeable batteries this Christmas, as this will help minimise the volume of batteries used in the first place.”
Thousands of free battery recycling boxes are available at supermarkets and other retail outlets across the country, with further collection points to be rolled out in the new year. Ireland is one of the first EU member states to have the European Waste Battery Directive fully transposed and operational since implemented by Environment Minister and Green Party Leader John Gormley in September.
