Repsol YPF

MP3 players, mobile telephones, alarm clocks, digital cameras... an increasing number of portable devices are becoming part of our routines and are now considered essential although we did not even know what these things were a few years ago. However, all of these devices that keep us entertained and make our lives more comfortable consume energy and, due to their portable nature, need batteries. 

The threats they pose

The problem is that modern batteries contain highly toxic heavy metals, which are extremely harmful to our health and the environment when, with the passing of time, they decompose, oxidise and release various toxic substances into the earth, water and air. 

Mercury, lead, cadmium... are all elements which are present in batteries which in direct contact with the body in large amounts can cause a long list of serious ailments, some of them chronic, and even death. As such, batteries should never be pierced, burned, or left in devices or lying round the house for an excessive period of time, since they can oxidise and release their content. Exposing them to the ecosystem is no less dangerous. It is estimated that a normal battery can contaminate 3000 litres of water, whilst a long-life alkaline battery can affect up to 175,000 litres if it is not handled correctly.  

What can be done?

However, this damage can be avoided by adopting the appropriate measures. Firstly, as consumers, we have the option of using rechargeable batteries which mean we do not use around 300 disposable batteries. Secondly, we can of course place batteries in the containers and collection points provided so that these products can be treated appropriately, making it possible to reuse between 50% and 75% of the product. 

This is where Royal Decree 106/2008 comes in, which came into force at the end of September 2008, is based on European Directive 2006/66/EC and has several objectives. It seeks to make it easier for consumers to identify and select the batteries which best suit their needs and those which are least pollutant, by making it compulsory to label them clearly, legibly and indelibly, describing their energy capacity, displaying the chemical symbol of the heavy metal they contain and the selective collection symbol. It also bans the sale of batteries and storage batteries containing more than 0,0005% of mercury in weight and 0.002% of cadmium in weight, with the exception of emergency devices, alarms and medical equipment. Finally, it establishes that manufacturers are responsible for managing used batteries, without any additional cost to the consumer, and that by 2012, 25% of batteries must be recycled, and by 2016, at least 45% of batteries must be recycled. 

“The compiler”

Manufacturers, meanwhile, have put their skates on in order to fulfil the conditions set out by the government. The Foundation for Environmental Battery Management, ECOPILAS, is made up of the manufacturers of over 70% of the batteries consumed in Spain, several of which are very well-known brands. 

This association seeks to make it as easy as possible for consumers to return used batteries, and as such it has organised a network of 25,000 containers throughout Spain. These are bins which can be identified by the character drawn on their outside, known as “The compiler”, which seeks to raise public awareness about the need to recycle batteries, since only 18% of these products are currently recycled. 

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