Vol. 466 No. 8
69 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment when regulations to provide for collection, re-use, recycling or safe disposal of spent batteries will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12334/96]
My Department has been involved for some time in discussions with manufacturers and distributors of the battery types specified in Council Directive 91/157/EEC for the purpose of promoting practical arrangements for the separate collection of spent batteries and their subsequent recovery or safe disposal. Consideration is being given to the need for regulations under the Waste Management Act, 1996 to provide appropriate statutory support for such arrangements. A pilot scheme for the collection and recovery by the motor trade of spent automotive batteries was launched by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry in April 1996.
