Battery manufacturers are to be held responsible disposing their products under proposals published today by Minister for the Environment John Gormley.
Stakeholders can submit observations on the draft regulations to implement the new EU Directive on Waste Batteries until February 20th before new rules are due to take effect on September 28th.
The directive applies to all batteries and is particularly aimed at reducing the levels of hazardous metal that leaks into the ground after disposal.
"This is particularly the case for mercury, lead and cadmium as batteries containing these metals are defined as hazardous. We must divert them from landfill," Mr Gormley said.
He also encouraged consumers to use rechargeable batteries which he said cut waste and were better value for money.
The system for disposal of batteries will operate along the same lines as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive in which consumers bring their spent products to a collection point or a retailer at no cost.
The cost of the collection, treatment, recovery and disposal of batteries will then rest with the producers.
