Abstract :
Batteries contain hazardous waste substances such as mercury, lead and cadmium. If they are disposed in a landfill site, they could leak into the surrounding environment. The EU Landfill Directive placed a ban on the disposal of such hazardous waste in landfill sites. Hazardous waste such as batteries is not allowed to be mixed up with other waste streams. It must be separated, stored safely and collected for treatment before being disposed. Strict statutory targets for the recycling of batteries will be introduced and all EU states will have to recycle 25 per cent of batteries.
