Dundee LibDems echo calls about UK's "shameful" battery recycling record

3.35.54pm GMT Sun 12th Feb 2006

Dundee LibDem councillor emphasises need to promote battery recycling

Cllr Helen Dick, Dundee City Council's Vice Convener of Environmental Services and Sustainability has expressed her concern at news about the UK's record on recycling household batteries.

According to LibDem Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson at Westminster, Dan Rogerson MP, the UK's record is "shameful" and the worst in Europe.

Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats suggest the UK recycles 0.5% of all batteries sold, compared with Belgium's 59%.

Helen said today (12th February 2006), "Clearly this is an area where the UK as a whole is severely lagging behind other parts of Europe.

"I am pleased that the Scottish partnership government has recognised the need to give recycling batteries more emphasis and its support for a £2 million facility which aims to develop world beating technology for recycling batteries opened in 2004 is welcome.

"However, the promotion of recycling batteries need to be emphasised and its an issue the LibDem group on Dundee City Council has raised within the City Council," concluded Helen.

Related Links:

Health fears on battery recycling - LibDems highlight issues - BBC website.

What you can recycle at centres in Dundee.

World-leading recycling facility - Scottish Executive News - July 2004.

Scottish Executive's Environmental Performance (2003/04).