Program to recycle old car batteries launched

14/9/93

A major program to recycle hundreds of thousands of old car batteries and help charity was launched today by Environment Minister Kevin Minson.

Mr Minson said the program aimed to make houses safer and remove an environmental hazard.

"Old car batteries pose a serious safety threat, particularly to young children," he said.

"Acid can leak from the batteries and result in painful burns."

Mr Minson said that 3.5 million lead acid batteries were sold in Australia every year.

He said ninety per cent were collected and recycled while the rest - 350,000 - remained in the community.

Research by the Battery Council International showed that one in five houses was likely to have at least one battery stored in the back shed or down the side of the house.

In some instances businesses were stockpiling their batteries with no idea of how to dispose of them safely.

"The Western Australian great battery round-up is one of the most ambitious recycling programs held in Australia," Mr Minson said.

"Marshall Batteries are instigating this recycling program to collect the remaining 350,000 batteries out in the community.

"For every battery returned 50 cents will be donated to charity - money will be shared between the West Australian Research Institute for Child Health and the Clean-up Australia campaign.

"About $175,000 could be raised if the community returned all unwanted batteries."

Mr Minson said all batteries collected would be shipped to New Zealand where GNB Battery Technology and Improdex had developed a treatment system.

This allowed the battery casing plastic to be re-used safely in the re-manufacture of car batteries.

The new measures brought Australia in line with the world's best practices and ensured acid and lead residue were removed from the plastic casing.

Media contact:  Diana Callander 321 2222 or 222 9595