ECOTIC BAT, together with the ECOTIC Association, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests, with the support of GreenWEEE International, InfoCons and the Recycling Map, launches the national campaign to inform the public about the need for separate collection of used batteries and, in particular, batteries containing lithium.
Separate collection of used batteries starts at home. Every home should have a container, it can also be a jar, in which used batteries are temporarily stored. Special attention should be paid to button cell batteries. Given their small size, there is a risk that they will be swallowed by children once they are within their reach.
All used batteries must be taken to the containers dedicated to recycling in stores that sell batteries. These collection points can be identified on www.hartareciclarii.ro.
In order to stimulate the circular economy and having a similar objective to the European directive on the common USB-C charger, the 2023 European regulation on batteries and battery waste specifies the obligation to offer consumers the possibility of dismantling and replacing portable batteries in equipment starting with February 2027.
What does this regulation mean? Consumers will once again have the possibility to replace their own batteries in devices, for example, Lithium-Ion batteries in mobile phones and laptops. Manufacturers will be obliged to put this type of battery on the market so that they can be purchased separately and to provide instructions and information on the safe removal and replacement of batteries.
Before handing over used batteries to collection points, the connectors of batteries containing Lithium and the entire button cell batteries must be covered with adhesive tape. This avoids short-circuiting through contact with other batteries.
The separate collection of batteries is the responsibility of all parties involved, from producers, consumers, public authorities, collection operators, retailers, each contributing to environmental protection and the recovery of critical raw materials, such as Lithium.
“We are launching this information campaign with the aim of providing consumers with recommendations and examples of good practices regarding methods of storing and handing over used batteries safely to collection points dedicated to handing them over for recycling”, says Valentin Negoiță, President of ECOTIC.
