Battery management

Why they are subject to specific legislation

Directive 2006/66/EC, published in 2006, was the first document on the management of batteries and accumulators and their waste at European level. This Directive was transposed into national law by Decree-Law No. 152-D/2017 of the 11^th of December, thus unifying the regime for the management of these waste streams subject to the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility.

Prohibit

The placing on the market of batteries and accumulators with a mercury or cadmium content above the defined threshold.

Mitigate

Batteries and accumulators contain hazardous metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and lithium. The main objective of managing this stream is to mitigate the impact of these substances on the environment and human health.

Recycle

Batteries and accumulators are 100% recyclable, which means that their materials can be used to make new products, without the need to exploit and extract virgin raw materials from nature.

Due to the evolution of socio-economic conditions, technology, markets and uses of batteries, it has become necessary to update the legislative framework. In 2023, Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of the European Parliament and of the Council on batteries and battery waste was published. The regulation establishes rules that apply to the entire life cycle of batteries and accumulators - from production to reuse and recycling – to ensure that all batteries and accumulators are safe, sustainable and competitive.

How the used batteries and accumulators management system works

Learn about each stage

For the end-of-life management of the batteries placed on the market

By paying an EPR fee, battery producers can transfer their responsibility for the end-of-life management of the products they place on the market to Electrão.

Communication and Awareness-raising

On the correct disposal of waste

Recycling and proper waste management are only possible if consumers place used batteries in the correct recycling bins so that it can be recycled. To this end, Electrão runs various communication and awareness-raising campaigns to publicise delivery solutions and the importance of this action for the future of the planet.

Collection and Treatment Network

Electrão is responsible for organising a collection network

And ensuring that batteries are correctly treated and recycled. The Electrão network currently has thousands of collection sites available throughout the country, such as fire stations, schools and stores.
Collection, transport and storage are carried out by carefully selected partners, as are the preparation, dismantling and treatment of equipment for recycling.

Liaising with Operational Partners

To ensure the correct treatment of waste

In addition to the collection network and the management of the process between delivery sites and the transformation of batteries into raw materials for new products, Electrão is responsible for ensuring that its treatment partners properly treat and decontaminate batteries so that the hazardous substances that make up these products are disposed of safely.

The importance of treatment and recycling

Batteries and accumulators contain dangerous substances such as mercury, lead and cadmium which, when in contact with nature, pose a threat to the environment by polluting the atmosphere, soil and water tables, and to human health by causing problems with the kidneys, nervous system, neurological system and digestive system.

Every year, several hundred thousand tons of batteries and accumulators are placed on the market. They are found in devices we use every day, such as mobile phones, electric bicycles, cars and push-scooters. With the exponential growth in the consumption of technology and products of this type, it is becoming increasingly important to recycle batteries and accumulators following appropriate rules, making it possible to reduce the environmental impact of this waste.

If recycled correctly, thousands of tons of metals can be recovered, including precious metals such as nickel, cobalt and silver.

When a battery reaches the end of its useful life, recycling is the only solution.

Used batteries and accumulators are handed over to a management entity, starting a cycle that will ensure that they are properly treated and diverted from the environment.

The toxic components they contain are safely removed in specialised units using specific equipment.

The negative effects they could have on the environment and human health are mitigated.

The raw materials in their composition are reused in the manufacture of new products, contributing to the ecological transition and a more circular economy.