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'Only 3%' of batteries are currently recycledFree battery recycling in shops from February 2010

22 December 2009

MP3 player battery life

MP3 players are very power hungry, so get one with a rechargeable battery

A new study has estimated that only 3% of batteries are currently recycled - but it also found that the vast majority of  people would recycle batteries if it were easier to do so.

The European Recycling Platform (ERP) asked more than 2,000 British adults if batteries were among the products they recycled. While nearly all of those questioned said they recycled some household waste, only a third had ever recycled batteries.

Take a look at our independent review of batteries, and use our interactive recycling tool to find out where to recycle old batteries.

Battery recycling

According to the ERP, more than 600m batteries are used in the UK each year, but only 3% are recycled, with most going to landfill. Around 40% of batteries are purchased around Christmas, to power products including digital cameras, and TV and DVD player remote controls.  

New EU rules should help boost the number of batteries recycled each year. All shops selling 32kg or more of household batteries - equivalent to around one four-pack of AA batteries a day - will be required to offer free battery recycling collection points in stores from 1 February 2010. A battery recycling target of 45% will have to be met by 2016.

How to recycle batteries

Our product recycling tool can help you find where and how to recycle items including batteries - as well as a range of other electrical and household products including TVs, DVD players, washing machines and fridge freezers.

Both Tesco and Sainsbury's have recently unveiled their battery recycling collection point plans. Our essential recycling guide will equip you with some recycling basics.

Do you have a question about recycling? Let us know at environmenteditor@which.co.uk - we'll be putting a selection of your frequently asked recycling questions to our panel of experts in January.

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