Environmental Data Centre on Waste

Total Generated, kg per capita

This dataset relates to the total quantity of batteries in the waste stream per capita.

This allows for a meaningful comparison between Member States as it takes the size of the population into account.


Batteries and accumulators wastes, kg per capita

The map below shows the data collected for 2006 in kg per capita.

Total Generated, kg per capita and tonnes 

This dataset relates to the total quantity of batteries generated by all economic activities and households.

Batteries and accumulators wastes,  kg per capita and  tonnes, 2004,  2006 and 2008 (reported under the  Waste Statistics Regulation)

Main types of batteries.

There are six main types of non-rechargeable batteries (primary batteries):

• Zinc
• Alkaline
• Button alkaline
• Silver zinc
• Button zinc
• Lithium ion

There are also eleven types of rechargeable batteries (secondary batteries):

• Nickel-cadmium
• NiMH (Nickel metal Hydride)
• Lithium
• Lithium-Ion Polymer
• Alkaline rechargeable
• Titanium
• Lead SLI
• Lead traction
• Lead stationary
• Nickel-iron
• Nickel-zinc

Due to the wide range of batteries that exist and the varying component metals of which they are made, there are specific recycling processes for each battery type. Before recycling can take place the first step is to sort the batteries into groups by type. Where batteries are not collected separately they enter the municipal waste stream and are either landfilled or incinerated.

The foremost piece of international producer responsibility legislation affecting the prevention of waste batteries is the EU Batteries and Accumulators and Waste Batteries and Accumulators Directive (2006/66/EC). This stipulates the following:

• A 25% collection rate for waste portable batteries to be met by September 2012, rising to 45% by September 2016;
• A prohibition on the disposal by landfill or incineration of waste industrial and automotive batteries – in effect setting a 100% collection and recycling target; and
• The setting of recycling efficiencies to ensure that a high proportion of the weight of waste batteries is recycled (65% of lead acid batteries, 75% of nickel-cadmium batteries and 50% of other waste batteries).

Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Batteries and Accumulators and Spent Batteries  and Accumulators – Extended Impact Assessment, (November 2003)

Impact Assessment on Selected Policy Options for Revision of the Battery Directive (July 2003) 

• DG Environment (Batteries)
• European Portable Battery Association (EPBA)
• European Battery Recycling Association (EBRA)
• Battery Council International