We are pleased to announce the launch of Battrecycle – a new nationwide partnership to increase battery collection volumes and recycling across the UK. Much like its predecessor BatteryBack, this will be a free service funded by battery compliance schemes including Wastecare Compliance. The campaign’s objectives are to raise awareness of the importance of battery recycling, improve the visibility and accessibility of recycling collection points, and motivate the British public to incorporate it into their everyday routines.

Key campaign drivers

Research estimates that fewer than 15% of portable batteries on the market are currently being collected, meaning as a country we need to increase the number of batteries collected by over 300% in the next 4 years to reach the 45% recycling target. Not only is this imperative to reduce landfill fires and the impact on the natural environment, but it also poses a risk to battery producers with the cost of battery compliance likely to increase significantly by 2025.

In order to reach these recycling targets, it is imperative to harness the sheer number of consumers passing through supermarkets, shops, and places of work. Research undertaken by Material Focus and research commissioned by Battrecycle, cited that consumers want to do the right thing, but barriers included:

• No consistent messaging around the issues of battery disposal and recycling
• Although broadly aware batteries should be recycled, they are unclear as to how, why, or where to do it
• Unable to find battery recycling points in the supermarkets, or the bins not clearly identifiable as being for battery recycling

These findings were the driving force behind evolving a cost-effective solution for battery recycling. With an aim to triple the number of collection points to over 100,000 over the next couple of years, the following objectives were set:

• To create a National Independent Battery recycling scheme so shoppers feel that are part of making a bigger difference
• Recycling bin designs altered so it is obvious what they are for, and stand out from other in-store branding
• Bins placed at the front of stores – a small adjustment that could increase awareness by up to 60%

About Battrecycle

Battrecycle will be a National Partnership open to all Battery Compliance Schemes and their members, launching with over 30,000 collection points and counting. Supported by a nationwide digital marketing campaign to educate and raise awareness of battery recycling, the #BigYellowBatteryBin will provide clearly identifiable collection points for consumers to deposit their dead batteries.

To increase accessibility and ease of use, the Battrecycle online collection point locater will enable consumers to identify their closest Battrecycle bin. In addition, local authorities, schools, and other retailers can also become a Battrecycle collection point, with free collections of their batteries to increase recycling in their area.

Supporting local community projects

In addition to increasing battery recycling, Battrecycle will be committed to supporting local communities. For every battery recycled, Battrecycle will fund community projects designed to educate on and increase local access to the environment. In time, Battrecycle users will be able to assign which local community project they would like to ‘contribute’ their dead batteries to, and follow the progress and success stories of these projects on Battrecycle’s social media channels and website.

Be a part of the Battrecycle Campaign

If you’re a local authority, school, producer or brand who wants to support the Battrecycle campaign – firstly, thank you! If you’re sharing your battery recycling efforts on social media, be sure to hashtag #TheBigYellowBatteryBin.

Interested in becoming a Battrecycle collection point? Simply email hello@battrecycle.org

If you are a battery compliance scheme or battery producer and would like to join the Battrecycle partnership, please contact the team here.