Trevor Sargent
Ceist:521 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will set a date after which it will be illegal to deposit used batteries with other refuse. [26729/01]
Written Answers. - Waste Disposal.
The Waste Management (Hazardous Waste) Regulations, 1998 and the Waste Management (Hazardous Waste) (Amendment) Regulations, 2000 transpose into Irish legislation relevant provisions of Council Directive 91/157/EEC and Commission Directive 98/101/EC relating to batteries and accumulators containing certain dangerous substances.
In accordance with the requirements of Council Directive 91/157/EEC, a programme for the management of waste batteries was published in 1997. This programme will be reviewed and updated in the near future. The collection and recycling of used industrial and vehicle batteries from industrial premises and garages has been undertaken, nationwide, on a commercial basis since 1996. Accordingly, a significant proportion of large batteries have been diverted from landfill disposal.
In addition, my Department will be writing shortly to the relevant sectoral interests concerning possible initiatives to further increase the recovery rate of industrial and vehicle batteries and to support the collection and recovery of small household batteries. Issues in regard to the separate collection of batteries and prohibiting the disposal of batteries in landfills will be considered in this context.