Brussels, 14 October 2024 – The European Portable Battery Association (EPBA) is pleased to announce the release of its updated report on portable battery collection rates across Europe. This report provides fresh insights, now incorporating data for the years 2021 and 2022.  

The report provides collection rate figures across the EU member states, as well as Switzerland, Norway, and the United Kingdom, as well as explanations of national legal and organisational developments. The collection rate of each country is calculated as the ratio of the volume of batteries put on the market (average of the most recent 3 years) to the volume of batteries collected in a given year. The total collection rate for the EU in 2022 has reached 46.1%.

The updated report underscores the need to shift from the current Put-on-market (POM) methodology for calculating collection rates to an Available for collection model. This change is essential to better reflect the real-world availability of used batteries for recycling, ensuring that member states can achieve the EU’s collection and recycling targets for portable batteries.

Key Findings of the Report Include:

• The overall collection rate across Europe (average for all countries covered in the report) in 2022 stands at 45.9%, reflecting a slight decrease compared to 2021.

• 23 countries have reported a collection rate close to or above 45% in the 3 years 2020/21/22

• The remaining 8 countries’ collection rates have fallen or remain below 45%.

• The report underscores that using the POM-based methodology no longer fully captures the potential for battery collection, as battery lifecycles have changed significantly. The Available for collection methodology would provide a more accurate and realistic benchmark for future performance.

EPBA President, Kevin Rejent, stated:
“Recent years, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, have seen consumers purchase record numbers of vital portable batteries. We are proud of the collection efforts of our members and partners throughout Europe in light of this increased volume. We also look forward to updating the outdated ‘placed on the market’ methodology currently utilized to calculate collection rates with the more accurate 'available for collection' methodology set forth in the new Batteries Regulation. This update is imperative if we are to meet EU's ambitious goals on battery collection going forward.”

EPBA’s  Commitment to Sustainability

As the demand for portable batteries continues to grow, driven by advancements in technology and sustainability initiatives, the EPBA remains committed to supporting its members and stakeholders in developing responsible collection and recycling systems. This report will serve as a resource for policymakers and all other stakeholders in understanding the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The full report is available for download here.

For media inquiries, please contact us at EPBA@kellencompany.com