Life Green Batteries Project

• Starting page
• presentation of the project
• why should I care
• batteries & accumulators
• current situation
  • batteries
  • accumulators
• legislation
• recycling programs in the EU
• outcomes of recycling project Life Green Batteries
• the life environment funding project

How can I recycle my old accumulator?

The Region of Crete, in the framework of an approved LIFE ENVIRONMENT Program, has already organized and implemented a pilot collection and recycling system for accumulators in Crete, with the cooperation of various stakeholders (ESDAK, SEDIS-K and the Union of Electricians of Crete).
Participation in this collection and recycling system is very simple. The things one has to do are:

• Change your car accumulator only at car service stations which have a recycling bin and participate in an approved collective recycling system for accumulators.
• In case you change your car accumulator by yourself, you have to return your old accumulator to the car service station, which will send it for recycling.

At the car service stations, batteries are temporarily stored in a special recycling bin and will be further collected by the System and driven to the recycling unit.

Proper management of accumulators at your store:

Store the accumalators:

• - In indoor spaces, in order to avoid leakages due to weather conditions (cracking of the accumulator due to temperature changes, or leakages due to the rain).
• - Always inside special recycling bins, which cannot be eroded by the accumulators' liquids, in order to avoid leakages.
• - Store the accumulators in upright position in piles, so that their liquids are not spilled.
• - Do not put more than 5 accumulators on every pile.
• - Check your storage bins regularly for cracks or leakages.
• - In case of leakage on the floor, do not discard the liquids in the drainage system. Neutralize them using NaOH or lime before disposal. 
• - Accumulators should be sent for recycling at least once every six months.

What does the new legislation provide for the shops which sell / substitute accumulators?

Shops which sell and substitute accumulators must:

• - Store the accumulators in special storage bins within their unit, together with the contained electrolyte.
• - Not handle accumulators, which do not participate in an alternative management system
• - Maintain a register book for the handling of accumulators.

Furthermore, selling of a new accumulator is only allowed if the old one is returned.