10 August 2009
Waste batteries: do you know what to do with them?
You may or may not be aware that new legislation is in place to deal with the management of waste batteries produced within your organisation, as it will be illegal to send them to land fill. There is also a need to have different arrangements for collecting different types of battery.
As a printer or packaging company, have you identified the usage of portable batteries which are small sealed batteries units such as:
• primary (non-rechargeable)
• secondary (rechargeable)
• battery packs
• button cells
• batteries in appliances such as hand tools.
Industrial batteries can often be used for backup and emergency supplies of electricity, or for powering machines and vehicles such as forklift trucks and electric pallet trucks. Battery packs that have been designed specifically for industrial or professional use are classed as industrial batteries, even if they contain batteries such as AAs or AAAs.
Automotive batteries are those used in vehicles, such as motorcycles, cars, vans, lorries, etc. and other types of transport.
Recycling portable batteries
If your organisation uses portable batteries, check with your supplier as he/she will be required to operate a 'take back' scheme unless the supplier sells less than 32kg of batteries per year. You should check with your supplier to find out their arrangements for the collection of waste portable batteries.
Waste management companies and local councils may work with battery collection schemes to help them achieve their recycling targets. They may arrange collections in your area. Therefore check with:
• Local council
• Waste directory
Be aware that mixed waste batteries and certain types of batteries are classed as hazardous or special waste. If you are having to transport your waste batteries to sites that have the appropriate environmental permit, waste management licence or exemption from your environmental regulator, businesses must ensure that a special waste consignment note is completed prior to moving any waste batteries produced on the premises.
Recycling industrial batteries
Again, if you buy new industrial batteries, then the battery producer will take back your waste batteries. You should contact your battery producer to find out the arrangements for returning waste batteries.
For further advice and guidance on recycling batteries, please contact your local BPIF Health, Safety & Environmental Adviser.
Pay Review Data, Wage Benchmarking and Cost of Living – FEB 2024 UPDATE
14 February 2024
We have collated data from multiple sources that should be useful for BPIF members that are approaching internal pay reviews, and/or are having a closer look at their pay and benefits structure. The datafile, first published in February 2023, has been updated with the latest available data - and additional content on factors exerting pressure on pay settlements in 2024.
Slight recovery of output and orders falls short of expectations in Q4 - confidence concerns mount in 2024
22 February 2024
Performance in the UK's printing and printed packaging industry did improve in Q4, as far as output and orders are concerned. However, it didn't come close to what would historically be considered the seasonal norm, nor quite match the subdued expectations for Q4.
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