Europe to Halve Battery Waste

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) called on Europeans to recycle half the batteries they use.

Parliament voted to up the recycling rate to a standard 50% across the EU, rather than the original suggestion of 160g per inhabitant per year.

A green amendment to phase out the use of cadmium batteries was also agreed on, despite strong objections from conservative MEPs.

British conservative MEP Robert Goodwill is disappointed the amendment was passed, given that it was based on a political campaign and not scientific evidence. The result was very close, with 283 in favor and 225 against.

The U.K. has one of the worst records for battery recycling in Europe. In 2002, Belgium managed to collect 250g of batteries per inhabitant, the U.K. only 2g.