A new law was introduced in January this year in the UK, which requires us as a nation to recycle 25 per cent of our batteries by 2012 and 45 per cent by 2016. To put this in perspective, last year only 2 per cent of old batteries were recycled and the rest ended up in landfill.
All types of batteries are included in this target, including those found in our old mobile phones.
To help raise awareness among children and inspire them to get involved the European Recycling Platform (ERP) has produced a three minute film which teachers can show their pupils.
The short film follows a 12-year-old boy as he takes his used batteries from his toy car to a recycling box at his school. It then shows the bigger picture – what happens when the batteries are sent for recycling. They are taken to a recycling plant in France and split down into their constituent parts. Some batteries contain zinc, lead, mercury, cadmium or silver. These components can then be re-used to make new products such as cars and other batteries.
Schools can request a free collection box and teaching materials to help explain the environmental laws, why it’s important to recycle batteries, and what happens during the recycling process. Staff are being encouraged to use visual aids as props, such as waste batteries and items which contain batteries such as mobile phones.
Scott Butler, general manager of ERP said: “Young people are big battery users and they are keen recyclers. That’s why we’re providing a battery box and free collection service to any school in the country.”