New lead acid batteries POPs guidance issued by Defra

The guidance states that lead acid battery cases containing the following must be classified as: 

• Polypropylene plastic only – it should not contain POPs 

• Other plastics – for example acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) – it may contain POPs 

In waste consignment notes, the waste lead acid batteries that may contain POPs must be described as “containing POPs”. 

The following additional chemicals must be listed in the composition: 

• Decabromodiphenyl ether
• Hexabromodiphenyl ether antimony trioxide

In keeping with POPs guidance, battery cases that contain or may contain POPs must be destroyed using either of the following methods:  

• An incinerator (D10 or R1 hazardous waste, municipal waste, or cement kiln) 

• A metal smelter (R4) to destroy the POPs 

These facilities must be authorised to accept POPs waste.  

The pre-treatment of POPs-containing lead acid batteries is only allowed for the purpose of separating the POP containing plastic case materials for packaging.  

The storage or repackaging of POPs is also only allowed temporarily ahead of pre-treatment or during destruction. 

The export of lead acid battery waste containing POPs is only allowed for destruction. Anyone exporting the batteries must notify the export of lead acid batteries from England to destinations outside the UK and also must apply to the Environment Agency for consent to export the waste. 

How to identify waste lead acid batteries containing POPs 

Waste lead acid batteries containing POPs can be identified by checking:  

• What type of plastic the case is made from 

• If bromine is present in the polymer 

With certain caveats, x-ray fluorescence (XRF) can be used to scan the plastic case for bromine, an indicator of the presence of brominated flame retardants including POPs.