Return and recycling of batteries

Both vehicles and Genuine Parts may contain batteries. These could be, for example, small portable batteries in the vehicle key, the SLI battery (battery for starting, lighting or ignition) or the electric vehicle battery - i.e. your traction battery - in an electric vehicle.

According to the European Battery Regulation, end-of-life batteries must be collected and disposed of separately from household waste. This is indicated by the symbol of the crossed-out wheeled bin. Consumers are also obligated to return end-of-life batteries at an official return centre.

Any products marked with the crossed‑out wheeled bin symbol should be disposed of through recognised take‑back schemes such as ours, or via local civic amenity site networks, to ensure they are treated and recycled responsibly.

The law states that end-of-life batteries can be returned at retail outlets for no extra charge. Collection centres for free-of-charge return of portable and SLI batteries include:

• Distributors of portable/SLI batteries (e.g. SEAT, supermarkets etc.)
• Operators of treatment facilities for end-of-life devices in accordance with the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE)
• Operators of treatment facilities for end-of-life vehicles in accordance with the End-of-Life Vehicle Regulation
• Public waste management authorities
• Electric vehicle batteries can be returned at SEAT (Volkswagen Group UK Ltd).

Safety precautions for battery handling

Batteries containing heavy metals bear the chemical symbols Hg (mercury), Cd (cadmium) and/or Pb (lead). Heavy metals can accumulate in the environment, causing harm to human and animal health. Batteries that contain lithium (Li) must be treated with particular caution, e.g. they should not be subjected to intense heat or be damaged. Always keep batteries out of reach of children and pets, because accidentally swallowed portable batteries can be fatal.

To prevent negative impacts on humans and the environment, batteries should be collected separately from other household waste and properly returned at a return centre.

Help prevent the production of waste and littering of the environment by, for example, checking repair options for your device before disposing of it.

Return and recycling of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment

At the end of their service life, electrical and electronic devices must be professionally disposed of and recycled. When it comes to disposal, not only manufacturers and distributors have certain legal obligations. As end-user of the devices, you contribute to environmental protection and preservation of resources by properly returning your end-of-life electrical equipment.

It is not only local waste management bodies who offer a simple and free-of-charge return service for your end-of-life electrical equipment – providers of such devices and mail-order companies do, too. You can return your end-of-life electrical device to any retail location over 400 m² that offers electrical and electronic equipment. This applies for all devices with a maximum lateral measurement of 25 cm. The same applies for larger devices, provided that you purchase a similar new device upon returning the old one. Be aware of the signage and information available from the provider, mail-order company or your waste management authority. Addresses of official return centres for free-of-charge return of end-of-life electrical equipment are available from your municipal/city administration.

Battery types

Industrial (EV) Batteries

As a producer of industrial batteries under the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, at SEAT, we produce NiMH, Li-Ion and lead-acid industrial batteries. We are happy to take back waste industrial batteries from our customers for treatment and recycling, free of charge. This is a requirement to do this in any calendar year we place new industrial batteries on the market. If any of our customers or in certain cases other end users, require us to take back Industrial batteries, they should contact us at environment@vwg.co.uk.  We will agree the necessary arrangements for the return, proper treatment and recycling of the waste industrial batteries. 

Automotive batteries

As a producer of automotive batteries under the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, at SEAT, we are also obliged to collect, free of charge and within a reasonable time, waste automotive batteries for treatment and recycling from final holders e.g. garages, scrap yards, end-of-life vehicle Authorised Treatment Facilities, Civic Amenity Sites, etc. We are required to do this in any calendar year we place new automotive batteries on the market.

If you require us to take back any automotive batteries, please contact us at environment@vwg.co.uk. We will coordinate the necessary arrangements for the collection, proper treatment and recycling of the waste automotive batteries. 

Portable batteries

SEAT (Volkswagen Group UK Ltd) manages producer compliance obligations through Clarity Environmental- see the Clarity Environmental website for further details: https://clarity.eu.com/.

Preparation for returns

It is often possible to prepare end-of-life batteries by simply testing, cleaning or repairing them in such a way that they can be used again for the same purpose for which they were originally intended without any further pre-treatment. Furthermore, after years of use, an electric vehicle battery can still be used for practical purposes outside of the vehicle. This so-called second-life application saves on important resources, thereby preserving the environment. You can make your own personal contribution by returning your end-of-life vehicle at a certified return centre for end-of-life vehicles, thus ensuring that the battery is professionally and safely removed. If a new battery is required, SEAT will take care of the disposal of the end-of-life battery.

Electrical and electronic devices are labelled with a crossed-out wheeled bin. This symbol indicates that the end-of-life electrical device must undergo professional treatment and may not be disposed with unsorted municipal waste.

Before returning an end-of-life electrical device, you are legally obliged to remove contained batteries. You are also personally responsible for deleting any personal data stored on the end-of-life electrical device.

Avoid the generation of waste and continue to use some electrical and electronic equipment outside of the vehicle, such as the Volkswagen cool and thermos box.

Is it time for your SEAT to be recycled and re-used?

Just call 0800 542 2002 or visit www.rewardingrecycling.co.uk to arrange collection or to deliver it to one of our many return centres.

From here it will be recycled for you, free of charge (terms and conditions apply).

Further advice on recycling these products is available at www.letsrecycle.co.uk. And further information on the WEEE Regulations can be found at www.environment-agency.gov.uk.

For additional information about the ELV Directive, please visit the following website:

https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/end-life-vehicles_en