Starting in February battery manufacturers and retailers entered a new era of their business. New laws went into effect in February which now many it mandatory for the manufacturers of batteries to recycle batteries for free. In addition, those businesses that sell batteries will also be required to offer recycling to their customers on the premises. Those firms which make industrial and automotive batteries will also be responsible for collecting batteries for recycling. Even though these new regulations should put more responsibility on the people who make batteries, thus raising recycling rates, local councils are still looking for ways to increase battery recycling. Since only around three percent of batteries are recycled worldwide, all plans must be considered and no stone can be left unturned in the quest to keep batteries out of landfills.
Guernsey has had some success with their small battery recycling program and hopes that the new regulations will make battery recycling even more prevalent in Guernsey. Thus far there are only two locations in Guernsey in which residents can recycle batteries, one being the Longue Hougue Recycling Center and at the Mondomundi shop. Guernsey hopes that the new battery laws will make for more locations for its residents to recycle batteries. Studies have shown that people are far more likely to recycle when it is made easy for them and they don’t have to go out of their way to do it.
Both locations in Guernsey have reported that they have had to bring in third party recyclers to handle the volume of batteries they are getting, which underscores the need for additional locations.
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