A new partnership between Hubbub and compliance scheme Ecosurety is urging UK households to Bring Back Heavy Metal and recycle their batteries.
In 2016, only 44% of the UK’s used batteries were collected for recycling, some 380 tonnes short of the collection target. Despite most large retailers providing battery recycling points, there is still an estimated 178 million batteries hoarded in UK homes with millions more ending up in landfill. A public survey discovered that less than half of people realise batteries are made of valuable heavy metals which can be reused, including:
These toxic substances can be hazardous to the environment if not disposed of properly. Just over half of respondents admitted throwing batteries away in the regular waste bin resulting in millions every year ending up in landfill, with the potential to pollute water supplies if not carefully managed.
#BringBackHeavyMetal encourages people to take part in a battery amnesty this October and drop their batteries off at their nearest collection point. The campaign brings together a coalition of well-known retailers including Asda, B&Q, Currys PC World, The Entertainer, Marks & Spencer and Morrisons, who all host battery collection points.
The campaign aims to engage people on social media using the #BringBackHeavyMetal hashtag. A new website has also been created bringbackheavymetal.co.uk providing recycling locations and tips for reducing the environmental impact. Three spoof heavy metal videos have been created to further spread the message.
