Arrange free waste automotive battery collection
As a UK automotive battery producer, arrange free collection when a final holder requests it, within a reasonable timescale. Publish how to request collection and send the batteries to an approved treatment operator or exporter. Build this into your sourcing plan with Cambridge China Bridge.
Set up a route for final-holder requests
The collection duty applies when a final holder asks you to collect waste automotive batteries. GOV.UK gives garages, scrapyards, end-of-life vehicle treatment sites and council waste collection sites as examples.
Assign a named person to receive requests and book collections. Ask for the site address, contact, battery type, estimated quantity, condition, photographs and access restrictions. For the wider importer role, see UK battery producer responsibilities.
Publish instructions people can use
You must tell final holders how to request collection. A website page is an example given by GOV.UK. Make the contact route easy to find from your battery product and support pages.
State that collection is free, explain what information to send and identify who will reply. Test the form or mailbox yourself. Avoid making a request depend on a missing photograph or an exact weight; ask follow-up questions where needed.
Agree and track the collection date
GOV.UK requires collection within a reasonable timescale rather than giving a fixed collection deadline in this guidance. Agree a date after checking the site's circumstances and the collector's availability.
Log the request, acknowledgement and agreed date. Ask about damaged batteries, restricted storage and loading arrangements before booking. If collection slips, tell the holder, agree a replacement date and escalate internally. Treat the case as open until collection is confirmed.
Check the destination and close the record
The batteries must go to an approved battery treatment operator or approved battery exporter for treatment and recycling. A business that only collects batteries without sorting or treating them need not hold that approval, but must follow the waste duty of care.
Ask the contractor to name the receiving operator and provide its approval details. Check those details through the official register linked from GOV.UK. Keep the booking, collection confirmation and destination receipt together. For product and shipment preparation, use our battery sourcing guide.
Frequently asked questions
Who can request free automotive battery collection?
Final holders can request it. Examples include garages, scrapyards, end-of-life vehicle treatment sites and council waste collection sites.
How quickly must I collect waste automotive batteries?
Within a reasonable timescale. GOV.UK does not give a fixed collection deadline in this guidance. Agree and record a date based on the site's circumstances.
What should my collection website page say?
Explain how final holders can request collection. Include a monitored contact route, the information you need, confirmation that collection is free and how you will arrange the date.
Does my battery collector need treatment approval?
A collector that does not sort or treat batteries need not be an approved treatment operator or exporter, but must follow waste duty of care. Check the approved destination separately.