Portable accumulators and batteries
As a rule, batteries and small accumulators can be returned to shops and kiosks that sell them, free of charge and without a requirement for purchasing a new product. So, take it where you bought it.
For large lithium batteries, such as the batteries of e-bikes and similar e-mobility vehicles, locate the nearest collection point using this search service.
Lajitteluohje
Tämä lajitteluohjesivu on eri kielellä kuin valitsemasi kieli. Voit palata karttanäkymään ja valita kierrätettävän materiaalin omalla kiellelläsi.
Always observe local and collection point specific instructions! The following are some general guidelines based on prevailing practices.
Yes
REGIONAL COLLECTION POINTS:
- large lithium batteries (e.g. batteries of e-bikes, hover boards, mopeds, all-terrain vehicles and ride-on lawnmower)
SHOPS OR REGIONAL COLLECTION POINTS:
- alkaline batteries (disposable standard batteries, such as AA and AAA batteries, button cell batteries and 9-volt batteries)
- lithium batteries (disposable standard batteries, such as AA batteries and 9-volt batteries)
- button cell batteries
- nickel-metal hydride batteries (e.g. rechargeable batteries and batteries of cordless tools)
- nickel-cadmium batteries (e.g. batteries of cordless tools)
- small lithium batteries (e.g. batteries of mobile phones, laptop computers, power banks, cameras and cordless tools)
- small sealed lead-acid batteries (e.g. UPS, photovoltaic cell and alarm system batteries)
No
- large vehicle batteries -> take to separate collection for vehicle batteries
- large batteries designed exclusively for industrial or professional use -> request recycling instructions from the importer
Collecting and transportation
Battery and small accumulator collection is mainly organised at the shops and kiosks that sell them. In addition to collection at shops, there are regional collection points that also take in large lithium batteries used in e.g. e-mobility equipment, such as e-bikes. These regional collection points can be found using this search service.
Handling
Batteries and accumulators continue their journey from the collection points to Akkuser Oy’s treatment plant in Nivala. Akkuser is a sort of a logistics centre: different types of batteries and accumulators are sorted into different fractions there. This is important because each type of battery and accumulator requires its own kind of treatment so that the the materials contained can be recycled into new raw materials in the best possible way and substances that are hazardous to the environment can be made harmless. Batteries and accumulators that contain mercury, lead and cadmium are hazardous waste.
Recycling and recovery
In total, 50–90% of the raw materials contained by batteries and accumulators can be reused by the metal and battery industry, for example. Ecological fertiliser products are also developed from alkaline batteries in Finland for agricultural use.
Learn more
More information at Paristokierrätys
Responsible organizers
In Finland the producers and importers of portable batteries are responsible for the collection and recycling of waste portable batteries.