Free Battery Recycling

Since September 2008, all shops that sell batteries must take back your waste batteries for free recycling, regardless of whether you purchase anything in their store. This is part of a European Directive which came into force in 2008, to encourage battery recycling across the EU.

Batteries can be recycled in any outlet that sells batteries of similar type. Household batteries such as AA, AAA and button cell batteries can be brought back to your local supermarket, newsagent or discount store. Car batteries can be brought back to your local garage or motor factor, and electric fence batteries can be brought to your local agri-store.

                                                     

WEEE Ireland have distributed 100,000 battery recycling boxes to shops around the country. Look out for the blue battery box in stores near you!

 

My Battery Recycling Box

WEEE Ireland is hoping to encourage more people to collect waste batteries for recycling in the home and office with the launch of "My Battery Recycling Box". This box is being made available free of charge through participating battery retailers and WEEE Ireland special collection events, as well as direct distribution to many homes and schools throughout the country.

 

                                 

                             World champion boxer Katie Taylor at the launch of My Battery Recycling Box

 

Once full, the batteries collected in My Battery Recycling Box can be recycled in the following ways:

(i)   Empty it into the larger blue battery box at your local battery retailer

(ii)  Bring it to your local recycling centre

(iii) Recycle batteries at WEEE Ireland's special collection events

 

Why Recycle Batteries?

Millions of batteries are used in households across Ireland each year to power appliances such as remote controls, battery operated toys and digital cameras. Due to their small size it's all too easy to throw your waste batteries in the bin, but it's more important to collect them for recycling to help protect our environment.

Batteries contain harmful substances that could pose a threat to human health and the environment if not managed in a responsible manner. Some of the metals contained in batteries can be processed for use again in industry including battery manufacturing, thus conserving our natural resources.

                                                Remember: Don't bin the battery, recycle it!

                                                      

This initiative is funded by battery producer members of WEEE Ireland.