Sunday, August 3, 2025
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
Environmental Magazine
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water
No Result
View All Result
Environmental Magazine
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water
No Result
View All Result
Environmental Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home News

CIWM white paper calls for reform to UK battery recycling

July 22, 2024
in News
A A

The Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM) has called for extended producer responsibility (EPR) for batteries (and products containing batteries) and a targeted deposit return scheme (DRS).

The appeal was made in a new white paper from the group, called ‘An EPR of Everything, Starting with Batteries’.

Fires caused by the batteries consumers throw away are causing a major crisis for the waste and resource management sector, taxpayers and the communities in which they occur, explains the CIWM.

In 2023 there were more than 1,200 fires caused, or suspected to be caused, by batteries at UK waste and recycling facilities or in collection vehicles (Material Focus, 2024), an increase of 71% from 2022. The cost of damage and lost time from these fires is estimated to be in the region of £158 million (Eunomia, 2021). The vast majority of these fires however were avoidable and resulted from batteries, in particular high powered, rechargeable batteries that should not have been placed in a bin but taken to a collection point.

The CIWM white paper, said to be based upon an extensive research programme report commissioned by CIWM and carried out by env23 Ltd, identified the lack of clear and impactful consumer information; the dramatic increase of batteries in everyday items; and the failure of producer responsibility rules to keep pace with the changing chemistry and pervasiveness of battery technology as the three main reasons for their incorrect disposal.

Consumer research undertaken for the report supported these findings with 40% of those surveyed choosing the ‘wrong’ option when asked how to dispose of an electric toothbrush. Where batteries can be removed however, they are much more likely to be taken back to a retailer or collection point with almost 70% of people saying they would do so.

The report found a strong level of public support for the use of deposits for items such as batteries, with 51% saying they would use the scheme on ‘all or most occasions’ and a further 32% saying they would use it on ‘some’ occasions. Implantation of the scheme would also be eased by the fact that the deposit value would only need to be modest as most ‘wrong waste-wrong place’ items such as toothbrushes and vapes are relatively low value items.

Sheerness-recycling-centre-fire-Feb2024

Commenting on the call for action on battery recycling, CIWM’s Director of Innovation and Technical Services, Lee Marshall, said: “The current targets for battery recycling are out of date, easily met, and amount to little more than a tick-box exercise for the manufacturers and retailers of these products. Championing extended producer responsibility and promoting the safety of our colleagues are key commitments from CIWM. We call on the new government to rise to the problem of addressing hard to recycle products and to prioritise the launch of a battery DRS consultation as part of a shared commitment to developing a more circular economy.”

CIWM has also called on battery manufacturers and retailers to act immediately and work with the institution in promoting safer, simpler and more effective recycling. It also highlights the need for chemistry-specific recycling targets to be introduced as part of the process of updating existing producer responsibility legislation for batteries.

An EPR of Everything, Starting with Batteries sets out recommendations to governments and legislators on how to address the widespread environmental, commercial and social issues associated with ‘hard to recycle’ products and materials, such as batteries, for the betterment and protection of society in general and workers in the resource and waste management industry in particular. The end-of-life impact of products and materials can no longer be a carefree and unconscious process by those carefully and consciously exploiting raw materials. To support a circular economy the narrative must be changed with an emphasis away from ‘costs’ towards ‘value’.

The CIWM white paper can be accessed here and the research here.

ShareTweetSharePinSendShare

Related Articles

News

Landfill Tax reforms could trigger shortage of aggregates, says trade group

August 1, 2025
News

EA sets out pathway for sustainable growth in England’s industrial hubs

July 30, 2025
News

Scientists issue urgent call ahead of final plastics treaty talks

July 28, 2025
News

Water’s hour of reckoning? Highlights from the Cunliffe review

July 25, 2025
News

With new grid tech, the UK can reduce the likelihood of blackouts and provide smarter energy supply

July 24, 2025
News

UK demonstration of hydrogen storage using LOHCs is a world-first

July 23, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Does plastic exposure explain foetal growth restriction?

April 8, 2022

Buckle Up for a ‘Weird Moment’ in the U.S. Electric Vehicle Market, Even as Global Sales Have Soared

January 20, 2025

Don't miss it

Energy

Virginia’s Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Embraces Renewables, Natural Gas and Community Planning for Data Centers

August 3, 2025
Energy

Sweden, an Early Climate Leader, Is Retreating From Its Environmental Commitments, Part of an EU Trend

August 3, 2025
Fossil Fuels

BLM Calls New Oil and Gas Rules ‘Noncontroversial,’ Exempts Them From Public Comment

August 1, 2025
Fossil Fuels

EPA Delays Compliance with Methane Rule, Fulfilling Oil and Gas Industry’s Request

July 31, 2025
Energy

Solar and Batteries Lead US Power Plant Additions by a Lot. How Does This Square With the Trump Administration’s Agenda?

July 31, 2025
Fossil Fuels

The Biggest US LNG Exporter Is Claiming a Massive Tax Credit for Using Its Cargo as an ‘Alternative’ Fuel

July 31, 2025
Environmental Magazine

Environmental Magazine, Latest News, Opinions, Analysis Environmental Magazine. Follow us for more news about Enviroment and climate change from all around the world.

Learn more

Sections

  • Activism
  • Air
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Fossil Fuels
  • News
  • Uncategorized
  • Water

Topics

Activism Air Climate Change Energy Fossil Fuels News Uncategorized Water

Recent News

Virginia’s Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Embraces Renewables, Natural Gas and Community Planning for Data Centers

August 3, 2025

Sweden, an Early Climate Leader, Is Retreating From Its Environmental Commitments, Part of an EU Trend

August 3, 2025

© 2023 Environmental Magazine. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water

© 2023 Environmental Magazine. All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.