Efficiency and Recycling Rate

Each country establishing a collection scheme is trying to bring its own definition of recycling and collection rates. It appears that a standardisation at the european level is needed. 

A definition of the term waste is given in the Waste Directive 75/442/EEC as any substance or object which the holder disposes of or is required to dispose of . 

A further reading of the text of Directive 91/156/EEC (presented as an amendment to Directive 75/442/EEC on waste) gives examples of the types of waste in Aimex I (06 paragraph. Unusable parts, e.g. rejected batteries, exhausted catalysts, etc.) and also mentions, under Q16, any materials, substances or products which are not contained in the above Q1 to Q15 categories. 

In Annexes IIA and IIB, materials in temporary storage on the site where they are produced are not considered a waste. 

if collection and/or recycling rates are evaluated, batteries in temporary storage should not be considered as they are not a waste. One should take into account the quantities available for collection and not the quantities introduced into the market. As we have seen in Section 3 of this chapter, a significant fraction of the rechargeable batteries remains in home storage (in use or not in use). As long as they remain is such a position they have not to be considered as a waste. 

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