Battery Producer Compliance

We are a member of the Battery Producer Compliance scheme, a national collection and treatment service for all types of batteries. It is a legal requirement for producers and retailers selling over 32kg of batteries per year to take back used batteries from their customers.

Rapid Electronics is working with the Battery Producer Compliance scheme to help dispose of used batteries. Our Battery Producer Registration Number (BPRN) is BPRN04198.

We have the capability on site to dispose of batteries in a safe and environmentally friendly way. Please contact us in advance to arrange the safe disposal of your used batteries.

Battery Producer Compliance FAQs

What happens to the used batteries once they have been collected?

The batteries are sorted into each chemical type, collated, and then sent on to a centralised treatment facility for recycling. Base metals are recovered for re-use in industry.

What are the environmental benefits of battery recycling?

Before the battery recycling regulations came into force most batteries were discarded into landfill. Batteries contain hazardous metals such as Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Zinc, Manganese and Lithium. These substances can be damaging to the environment when disposing of them through landfill. The burning of batteries also causes harmful atmospheric pollution. The advantage of recycling is that the resources recovered from the batteries are the very same materials being mined at greater cost in other parts of the world. By helping to recycle batteries you are not only helping the environment but also helping to keep down the cost of new batteries.

Is Britain recycling enough batteries?

The UK did have one of the worst battery recycling records in Europe. In 2010 we recycled less than 3% of portable batteries, whereas Belgium at that time recovered over 50%. The UK’s record of battery recycling has improved significantly in recent years. According to figures published by the Environment Agency in March 2020, the UK collected 44.34% of all portable batteries, just missing its target of 45%.

Recycling batteries is 10 times more expensive than sending them to landfill.

Each of us can help keep down the cost of batteries by putting our used batteries into a recycling container. There are over 30,000 collection points in the UK. These can be found in all major retailers, all businesses selling over 32kg of batteries per annum, all civic amenity sites, council, and government buildings.

Battery Safety Information

Most batteries contain hazardous materials such as Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Lithium (Li) and Mercury (Hg). Although these are hazardous to the environment and can be dangerous to health, batteries are safe when handled correctly. Please follow these simple guidelines:

• Do not open or disassemble batteries. The particles released can be hazardous.
• Do not allow batteries to get wet. Lithium can spontaneously combust when in contact with water.
• Do not expose batteries to excessive heat or fire. Batteries may explode releasing toxic fumes.
• Do not short out batteries (i.e. allow the positive and negative terminals of the batteries to touch). Sudden discharges may cause overheating or fire.
• Never use steel containers for storage. These may cause batteries to short out causing a fire creating hazardous fumes.
• Always use correctly labelled plastic containers to store batteries whilst not in use, and never mix battery types.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions provided for the correct use and disposal of batteries.