In the same period last year, 116 tonnes were collected.

The number achieved in six months is higher than the annual collection recorded between 2010 and 2022, according to the same source.

Electrão highlighted that the result represents “an exponential leap” in industrial batteries, mostly from business and industrial activities, which rose from 18 tonnes to 859 tonnes.

“The growth in the collection and recycling of portable batteries, which are normally found in remote controls, toys, mobile phones and computers, amounts to 6%”, revealed the association, in a statement.

Municipalities, traders, companies, institutions, and waste management operators contributed to the collection, and the number of collection points increased to more than 9,000.

However, the numbers are still below what is desired, especially in the case of portable batteries, according to the general director of electrical and batteries, Ricardo Furtado, quoted in the statement.

“Every day that passes, the managing entities that are part of Eucobat recycle more than 10 million batteries, which corresponds to 2.5 billion batteries per year. This amount could be extended over 116 thousand kilometres, which would allow you to travel around the world three times”, reads the document.

Batteries contain “highly harmful” substances, which pollute the soil and water. They also contain valuable materials that can be recycled, such as lithium, zinc, cobalt and rare earth elements that are on the list of raw materials identified by the European Commission as critical to ensuring the ecological and digital transition.