Read CIWM’s “An EPR of Everything, Starting with Batteries” white paper now, which is based on the research programme report “Batteries – the need for a new approach towards Extended Producer Responsibility”.
Check out the report’s Executive Summary below:
This CIWM (Chartered Institution of Wastes Management) commissioned research project, “Batteries – the need for a new approach towards Extended Producer Responsibility”, set out to review public attitudes towards current producer responsibility arrangements for batteries and engage stakeholders to inform and influence future management and recovery of used batteries.
The work builds on previous sector and issue engagement by CIWM including a 2020 webinar, and recent work carried out by the Environmental Services Association (ESA). Fires caused by batteries are a crisis for the resources and waste sector, taxpayers, homeowners, and government.
Addressing the problem is an emergency, and an emergency response is required. Batteries are a perfect candidate for extended producer responsibility and a deposit return scheme. There were more than 1200 fires caused by or suspected to have been caused by batteries at UK waste and recycling sites and to vehicles in 2022-23.
These are batteries – in particular, high-powered, rechargeable batteries – that should not have been put in a bin, which should instead have been taken to a collection point. The cost of the damage and lost time from these unacceptable and entirely avoidable fires caused by batteries is estimated at £158 million in annual damages.
Fortunately, so far no-one has been killed in any of these incidents, however, clearly there is significant concern that this fortune may run out. There are three reasons why these high-powered rechargeable batteries are ending up in bins – the wrong waste in the wrong place:
- Clear and impactful information on how to correctly dispose of used batteries is not reaching consumers at point-of-sale or disposal and consumer awareness of the hazards is low due to a lack of funding for campaigns;
- Batteries are finding their way into more and more everyday items, from single-use vapes to toys and gadgets and even into clothes and shoes, and consumers may be unaware an item even contains a battery;
- Producer responsibility rules have not kept up with changing chemistry and pervasiveness of technology, with little or no incentive for manufacturers or retailers to change, placing the burden of cost onto local authorities.
Championing extended producer responsibility, and supporting the sector’s transition to a circular and net zero economy are key commitments for CIWM – along with promoting safety for colleagues and consumer value for money.
CIWM can help you take the next step in your career, learn more about the benefits of CIWM membership today.
