A new record: Belgians hand in 3,717 tonnes of spent batteries

In 2022, Belgians handed in 3,717 tonnes of spent batteries at more than 24,000 collection points. This is one and a half times the weight of the Atomium. The record amount sets Belgium apart from its European neighbours, which have seen a decline in collection.

Bebat, the environmental organisation that collects, sorts and recycles spent batteries, recorded a 2 per cent increase in the total weight of batteries collected, representing an increase of 87 tonnes compared to 2021.

The total number of batteries placed on the market in Belgium decreased slightly (5 per cent), especially zinc-carbon, alkaline and zinc-air batteries. On the other hand, rechargeable lithium batteries increased by 6 per cent, partly due to a substantial increase in household batteries.

In 2010, the average Belgian household had 107 batteries at home. Today it is 131, including 30 used batteries that could be taken to a Bebat collection point. On average, Belgians take their spent batteries to a collection point two to three times a year.

^{© ​ BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND}