Green and Confused: Where can I recycle computer batteries?

Every year in the UK we use about 600 million household or portable batteries. While re-use and recycling rates for larger batteries from the automotive and other industries are relatively high, almost all the smaller types, along with their cocktail of toxic substances, such as mercury, nickel and cadmium, are chucked in the bin and end up in landfill.

Next month, after an EU directive, regulations are being brought in aimed at putting an end to the dumping of hazardous waste and stopping the leaching of dangerous materials into the soil and water courses. Manufacturers, along with retailers, will in future be responsible for paying for battery collection, treatment and recycling. The aim is to collect 25 per cent of portable batteries, including rechargeable computer units, by 2012, rising to 45 per cent by 2016. Clearly this is going to result in industry restructuring: watch out for rising battery - and computer - prices.

Exactly how the new regulations will be implemented and in what way collection systems will work is far from clear. Gathering sufficient batteries to achieve economies of scale is one challenge. Public awareness campaigns are necessary. There are many different types of battery, each made up of various materials. Recycling companies say they are particularly worried about handling non-EU batteries, especially those manufactured in China, which often contain higher than permitted levels of mercury. This can make recycling a more hazardous and expensive process.

Many communities have their own battery collection schemes. Most recycling centres have battery drop-offs. If you use a lot of batteries at home or run a small scale enterprise, a Battbox (battbox.co.uk) costs £25. When the box is full, its contents are taken away and recycled. Other components in a computer tend to fail before its rechargeable battery. Manufacturers usually offer free “take-back” services but these can be difficult to access.

Manufacturing computers is a drain on environmental resources and re-use is better than recycling. Computer Aid International (computeraid.org) urgently requires computers for use in the developing world: to ensure privacy hard disks are thoroughly wiped. Computers can either be dropped off or couriered to the charity's North London depot.

Electronic or e-waste is the fastest growing source of manufacturing waste in the world. The problem has to be tackled, or we are digging a toxic grave.

Source:The times