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The proposals, which are set out in a Government consultation, look at the best way to improve the environmental performance of new batteries and ensure collection, treatment and recycling of waste batteries. They apply to batteries of all shapes, volumes, weights, types and uses, and, will help the UK implement the EU's Batteries and Accumulators Directive.

Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks, said:
"Christmas gifts - from toys to sat navs - opened in British households next week will contain millions of batteries. Many of these will contribute to the 700 million batteries that go to UK landfill each year. This is clearly not good for the environment and that's why we've signed up to these tough, but I believe achievable, targets."

DEFRA Minister, Joan Ruddock said:
"People have a vital role to play in helping Government to ensure waste is dealt with in an effective and sustainable way. If we are to protect our environment we must reduce the amount of waste that's sent to landfill.

"By throwing household batteries in the bin not only are we contributing to what's sent to landfill, we are throwing away potential resources that could be put to good use if they were recycled. If disposed of incorrectly, even household batteries can pose an environmental risk.

"I would encourage both producers and consumers to respond to our consultation, and help us to tackle the problem of how to deal with the millions of batteries we use every year."

The consultation will look at how to increase the collection of household batteries to 25% of sales by 2012, rising to 45% but 2016.  The Government are also seeking to introduce obligations on retailers and producers to take back used batteries, much in the same way WEEE obligates electrical producers and retailers to take back old electrical equipment, at no cost to the consumer.

Batteries contain toxic materials that can damage the environment, such as cadmium which is used in Ni-Cd batteries.

The government consultation will run from 20 December 2007 through to 12 March 2008 and seeks views from consumers, businesses and industry on how these measures should be implemented.