Big campaign to collect used batteries ends soon

A major nationwide campaign to collect and recycle used batteries is drawing to a close next Monday, with the aim of hitting a target of 155 million.

Belgium’s environmental organisation Bebat launched its month-long "Mission Possible" campaign in mid-February to coincide with International Battery Day, which pays tribute each year to Italy’s Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), who invented the first ‘Volta’ electric battery in 1800.

Belgian residents have until 17 March to bring all their used batteries to one of 25,000 Bebat collection points, that are normally found in supermarkets, public spaces and car parks.

The organisation has set its targets based on the quantities estimated in a survey carried out in 2022. It is aiming to collect 11 million used batteries in the Brussels region, 49 million in Wallonia and 95 million in Flanders.

On average, each Brussels household has 87 batteries, 19 of which are in regular use, according to Bebat. They can be found in remote controls, household scales, DIY appliances, computers or just stacked away in drawers.

Bebat emphasises that not all these used batteries are lost as they can be recycled so their raw materials are reused.

“We firmly believe in the circular economy and we want to make as many people as possible aware of the importance of recycling batteries,” said Nele Peeters, Bebat’s operations director.

Bebat, in operation for more than 30 years, collected some 3,907 tonnes’ used batteries in 2023 through 26,730 collections from 25,111 collection points. The battery collection/recovery rate was 60.3%.

A 2020 study into Brussels expats' attitudes to recycling, in partnership with The Bulletin, found that more needs to be done to inform and encourage people to recycle their used batteries.

While knowledge of the city's recycling rules for paper, plastics and organic waste was relatively strong - and many of the participants considered themselves environmentally conscious - the poll found awareness about battery recycling was much lower.

The poll was carried out for Brussels Environment and Bebat, with more than 560 expats in Brussels, from almost 60 countries worldwide, taking part.