The Batteries Directive which came into force on 1 February 2010 aims to ban the landfilling and/or disposal of batteries (a hazardous waste) and encourage recycling of them instead.
For users of portable batteries (small domestic batteries*1), there are no rules being imposed as such, but residents are encouraged to recycle their used batteries instead of throwing them away. The text of the Directive relating to domestic battery use states:
Battery users will be:
• encouraged to separate their waste batteries to help treatment and recycling
• informed about collection and recycling schemes available.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council does not have the responsibility to collect batteries for recycling, and we will not be doing so at this time. In the UK, producers and retailers of batteries have to fund collection and recycling through take-back schemes. This means that members of the public can return their waste batteries to any shop that sells portable batteries (except small retailers who sell less than 32 kg of batteries per year and who are not required to take back batteries). Residents can still recycle their batteries at the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) or by using our WEEE collection trial.
*1 Portable batteries are sealed batteries or battery packs that you can carry, including:
- primary (non-rechargeable) batteries
- secondary (rechargeable) batteries
- button cells
- batteries in household appliances
Household batteries can now be taken to the following shops in Basingstoke where designated recycling points have been set up;
- Tesco Supermarket, Chineham
- Boots the Chemist, Chineham
- Boots the Chemist, The Malls
- Robert Dyas, The Malls
- Tesco Metro, The Malls
- Jessops Photographic, The Malls
- Argos, The Malls
- Debenhams, Festival Place
- Marks & Spencer, Festival Place
- Morrison's Supermarket, Worting Road
- PC World, Brighton Hill Retail Park
- J Sainsbury Supermarket, Hatch Warren (at the bring site)
- Mothercare, Hatch Warren
- Argos, Hatch Warren Retail Park
- ASDA Supermarket, Brighton Hill
- Boots the Chemist, Brighton Hill
- Homebase, Winchester Road
- Comet, Winchester Road
- Tesco Express, Carpenter's Down
- J Sainsbury Supermarket, Mulfords Hill, Tadley (at the bring site)
Car batteries can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre on Wade Road. The site has a designated bin where they can be placed. Further information is also available from the Environment Agency http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/netregs/109275.aspx
