RESIDENTS TO BAG THEIR BATTERIES

12.00.00am GMT Tue 25th Nov 2003

Britain's poor record on waste recycling is set to be given another push forward by new European Commission proposals for the recovery of old batteries.

Did you know? The Friends of the Earth found the Lib Dems the greenest of all major parties at the last general election

Councils in the East Midlands will be expected to make arrangements for the collection of batteries from households well before the end of the decade. Industry must then ensure that at least 65% of their content is recycled.

More than 160,000 tonnes of portable batteries are sold each year within the EU. Most contain toxic materials such as lead and mercury or carcinogens such as cadmium.

East Midlands Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Bill Newton Dunn says the recycling plans make good sense both for industry and the environment by saving energy and raw materials.

"Batteries are full of toxic and carcinogenic materials. There are few other household products that, if left in appliances for too long, decay before our eyes and weep acid that can burn severely.

"Yet although we collect most heavy vehicle batteries, household ones are just thrown into the bin without a thought for the consequences.

"Britain is being forced at long last to catch up with best European recycling practice and put an end to the mentality of 'out of sight, out of mind.' when it comes to waste materials."

ENDS