Batteries

A battery (or accumulator) is defined in the Battery and Accumulator Regulations as: any source of electrical energy generated by direct conversion of chemical energy and consisting of one or more primary battery cells (non-rechargeable) or consisting of one or more secondary battery cells (rechargeable).

There are 3 types of batteries that are covered under these Regulations:

Portable batteries (including those found in blister packs used in household applicances, toys, mobile phones, remote controls, button cells used in cameras, watches etc.)
Industrial batteries (including those used in forklift trucks, electric pallet trucks, electric vehicles and golf buggies) and
Automotive batteries (ignition/starter batteries in cars, vans, trucks and boats).

A battery scoping decision tree can be found in the Guidance and Downloads section.

Obligations

Any person or organisation that manufacturers, produces, imports and/or sells batteries in Ireland has certain obligations to meet, as set out in the regulations. Further information on producer and retailer/distributor obligations can be found by following the appropriate links above. Producers opting to self comply with the Battery Regulations are required to submit annual reports and three yearly plans to the EPA. Templates for plans and reports can be downloaded from the Guidance and Downloads section.

End users of batteries

End users of batteries can dispose of their spent batteries in the following ways:

Return them to any retailer selling equivalent types of batteries i.e. retailers of car batteries do not have to accept portable batteries if they don't sell them. You do not need to buy new batteries in order to return waste batteries to your local retailer.
Portable waste batteries can also be taken to your local civic amenity site free of charge.

Waste batteries must be separately collected for recycling and recovery of resources and the producer is responsible for arranging and financing this. They must not be disposed of in general refuse or mixed waste streams and free take-back must be provided to all end-users. This applies to both household and non-household end-users. A system for the free-take back of waste batteries from the household waste stream is well established through retail outlets and civic amenity sites.

Remember: waste batteries should never be placed in your household bin!