Christmas push to end battery burial

A major new push is under way today to end the annual dumping of batteries from Christmas toys and gadgets in landfill - with 80% of people saying they'd be more likely to recycle their batteries locally, if it was easier.

A new survey shows over a third (38%)of respondents are expecting to give or receive Christmas presents this year which use batteries. Of these,

- 62% said children's toys
- 23% said digital cameras
- 22% said gaming consoles such as Wii, Xbox, PSP

The poll, commissioned by battery recycling scheme European Recycling Platform (ERP), shows enthusiasm for recycling is strong. It found 95% of people already recycle some of their household waste. More than a third (34%) said they have already recycled a battery. Government figures estimate currently just 3% of batteries are recycled.

The research suggests the number of batteries going to landfill will be reduced when national battery recycling collections start in the New Year.

Respondents were asked which places they would be most likely to take a battery for recycling. More than half (51%) said they would take batteries to a council recycling centre and over a third (36%) said shops which sell batteries.

Scott Butler, ERP's general manager, said: "Christmas is a boom time for battery buying. And it's obvious from the survey results that people want to recycle batteries. This Christmas can be a little bit greener, if people keep batteries out of the bin and ready to take to a collection point in the New Year."