Households in County Mayo can recycle their batteries for free in any local shops where batteries are sold. Shops selling batteries are now required to accept waste batteries - similar to those they stock - without charge or requiring a purchase. In 2008, the Battery Regulations were introduced to ensure that spent portable batteries are separated from normal waste so that they can be recycled.
Producers of batteries must collect 25 per cent of what they place on the market by 2012 to meet EU collection targets. All householders in County Mayo can do their bit by recycling their old batteries at their local shop or civic amenity site.
Most batteries contain heavy metals which can seriously damage the environment. If waste batteries are disposed of incorrectly to the black bin, these metals may leak when the battery corrodes, and could contribute to soil and water pollution from landfills that are not designed to handle such materials. Also, when batteries are not being recycled more of these metals have to be produced, rather than re-using the metals contained within the waste batteries.
Look out for the blue or black battery collection boxes in all stores in Mayo. If you cannot see them, ask the shopkeeper. Alternatively, batteries can be dropped off for free at your local recycling centre. Everyone has a role to play in reaching the EU collection targets and conserving resources.
For further information on battery enforcement log onto www.batteries-enforcement.ie
