Starter Batteries

As a producer of starter batteries, you are responsible for ensuring that they are collected and recycled correctly. By joining Batterikretsen, you gain assistance with registration, reporting, and recycling through a nationwide collection system.

If your company places starter batteries on the Swedish market and is affiliated with Batterikretsen, you are part of our national collection system. You can refer your customers to around 600 recycling centres across the country. Some retailers and distributors also accept batteries.

In some cases, starter batteries can also be handed in together with collections of industrial or electric vehicle batteries – read more under each respective service. Batteries can also be delivered directly to one of the collection companies contracted by El-Kretsen.

Batteries are reported monthly or quarterly, stating quantity and total weight, divided by the battery’s main chemistry. This classification follows the authorities’ requirements and reflects the costs associated with different battery types.

Through “My Pages – El-Kretsen’s digital portal – you manage reporting, statistics, and environmental data. You also receive guidance if you are uncertain about how different batteries or electronic products should be reported.

Batterikretsen registers your company with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s battery register and handles the annual reporting on your behalf.

Fees

In addition to registration and reporting, Batterikretsen’s mandate includes a range of services and obligations defined in the Battery Regulation. These include:

• Expanding and operating the collection system for free battery collection at affiliated collection points. This includes suitable containers and transport, with attention paid to the properties of different batteries, such as flammability or health risks.
• Developing a recycling process that, in accordance with the Battery Regulation, achieves new collection and recycling targets. This includes completely avoiding energy recovery and landfill.
• Ensuring Batterikretsen’s internal control for managing producers and collected batteries through continuous quality follow-ups.
• Maintaining financial security.
• Funding compositional analyses of household waste every five years.
• Creating informational materials on recycling, litter prevention, and battery use advice.
• Monitoring legislation for the five different battery categories and adapting operations to any regulatory changes.

Batterikretsen’s fees consist of three components:

1. Entry fee
2. Fixed annual fee
3. Environmental fee (SEK/kg)

All fees are listed in El-Kretsen’s price list, available on the website and in the declaration portal. Any price changes are announced at least two months in advance.

Batterikretsen, like El-Kretsen, operates on a non-profit basis – no profits are distributed to owners.

Definition of Starter Batteries

A starter battery is specifically designed to deliver electrical power to a starter motor, as well as to lighting and ignition systems, but can also be used as auxiliary or backup power in vehicles, other means of transport, and machinery. There is no weight limit.

The most common starter battery is the traditional lead-acid car battery used in passenger cars. For motorcycles and boats, lithium-based starter batteries are becoming increasingly common.