§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) car batteries and (b) alkaline batteries were (i) purchased and used, (ii) disposed of by (A) landfill, (B) incineration and (C) other means, (iii) recycled and (iv) reused in the last year for which figures are available. [119073]
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§ Mr. MorleyThese figures are not collected centrally. However, part of a Government study (2000) carried out an assessment to forecast the consumption of batteries within the UK. For 2002, it was estimated that 12,986 tonnes of alkaline batteries and 111,016 tonnes of car batteries would be sold. The current recycling rate is estimated to be less than 2 per cent. for the alkaline batteries and 90 to 95 per cent. for car batteries in the UK.
A proposal for a new EC Batteries Directive is expected this year, which will set targets for the collection and recycling of all types of batteries. It is likely to require member states to set up systems to monitor the quantities of all batteries recycled.