What is the difference between a SCRAP manager and a conventional waste manager?

A SCRAP system (such as Ecopilas) is a specific extended producer responsibility system, financed by battery manufacturers, which guarantees regulatory compliance and finances containers. A conventional manager is private companies that collect waste for payment. SCAPs offer regulated and free access for municipalities.

What is the current battery collection rate in Spain and what is the target?

Spain averages around 45% collection according to MITECO (2022). The EU target is to reach 65% by 2030. Municipalities with active awareness strategies and auxiliary points achieve over 60%.

Do electric car batteries require different management from portable cells?

Yes, traction batteries in electric vehicles have separate flows, regulated by the expanded Real Decreto 106/2008. They require specialised handling, enhanced safety and managers with specific certifications. They do not go in portable battery containers.

How do I know if my municipality complies with the updated Directive 2006/66/EC?

You must verify: affiliation with an active SCRAP, adequate containers at the recycling centre, collection data recording, and comparison of your rate with annual targets. The environmental body of your autonomous community supervises compliance. Consult your SCRAP manager for detailed analysis.

What types of batteries should I NOT mix in the general container?

Industrial batteries (Ni-MH, high-power Li-ion), vehicle batteries and special cells (button cells with mercury) require separate containers for safety and efficient recycling. Consult your SCRAP for specific segregation protocols.

Can I install battery containers in chemists without being an official recycling centre?

Yes, as long as you have an affiliated SCRAP. Most SCAPs provide compact containers for auxiliary locations such as chemists. You will need to coordinate logistics, sign agreements and provide staff training at the retail outlet.

Collection of batteries and cells in the municipality: obligations and best practices

Collection of batteries and cells in the municipality: regulations and key strategies

The collection of batteries and cells in the municipality is an increasingly regulated and demanding environmental responsibility. These waste materials contain toxic substances such as mercury, cadmium and lead which, if not managed correctly, can contaminate soils and aquifers for decades. In this guide we explain the applicable regulations, the types of batteries you must manage and how to optimise your municipal strategy to increase collection rates.

Regulatory framework: from Europe to the municipality

Directive 2006/66/EC and Spanish regulations

Directive 2006/66/EC, transposed into Spanish law through Real Decreto 106/2008, establishes mandatory requirements for the management of batteries and cells. This RD clearly defines that:

Producers of batteries and cells must finance collection and recycling
Town councils are responsible for ensuring accessible collection points
Progressive minimum collection targets are established

The regulations have evolved to become more demanding. Currently, Spain is pursuing a minimum collection rate of 65% by 2030, an ambitious target considering we are around 45% on average nationally according to MITECO data.

Specific municipal obligations

As a local authority, your municipality must:

Have specific containers at the recycling centre
Ensure auxiliary collection points exist (chemists, schools, retail outlets) where feasible
Coordinate with authorised SCRAP managers for removal and recycling
Record and report collection data to competent bodies
Run awareness campaigns targeting residents, especially schoolchildren

Types of batteries and cells: practical classification

To properly manage the collection of batteries and cells in the municipality, it is essential to understand the categories:

Type	Description	Typical location	Risk
Portable	AA, AAA, 9V, button	Remote controls, watches, toys	Moderate
Industrial	Li-ion, Ni-MH, Pb-acid	Tools, UPS systems, telecommunications	High
Vehicle	Engine and traction batteries	Cars, motorcycles, electric vehicles	Very High
Portable rechargeable	Phones, tablets, laptops	Consumer electronics	Moderate-High

Each category requires specific treatment. Vehicle batteries, especially traction batteries, are subject to stricter regulations and specialised logistics flows.

Current collection rate in Spain: data and context

According to MITECO, Spain achieved a collection rate for portable batteries and cells close to 45% in 2022. This percentage is still far from the EU target, mainly because:

Many citizens are unaware where to deposit their batteries
Auxiliary collection points are lacking in rural areas
Awareness campaigns are insufficiently visible
E-commerce generates batteries in homes far from recycling centres

Municipalities that implement comprehensive awareness strategies and expand container locations achieve collection rates of 60–70%.

SCRAP and Ecopilas: authorised managers

What is a SCRAP manager?

SCRAP systems (Collective Systems for Extended Producer Responsibility) are non-profit organisations authorised by the State that manage the collection and recycling of batteries. The best-known system in Spain is Ecopilas, which works with more than 3,500 collection points.

Key functions of the SCRAP:

Finance containers and signage for the recycling centre
Coordinate regular collection logistics
Carry out recycling through authorised facilities
Provide regulatory compliance reports
Offer training to municipal staff

It is essential that your municipality is affiliated with a SCRAP. This ensures that battery and cell collection in the municipality complies with the law and achieves the maximum possible recycling rate.

Practical strategies to increase collection

1. Expansion of strategic collection points

It is not enough to have containers only at the municipal recycling centre. Consider additional locations:

Chemists: Often accept used batteries free of charge
Schools and colleges: Highly aware child and youth audiences
Town council: Central administrative area for municipal employees
Electronics retailers: Phone shops, consumer electronics stores
Supermarkets: Return areas or customer services

2. Intensive school campaigns

School campaigns are very effective. Concrete proposals:

School competition: “The class that recycles the most batteries”
Awareness workshops on pollution and recycling
Distribution of compact containers for classrooms
Guided visits for schoolchildren to the recycling facility (if possible)
Downloadable educational materials on the municipal website

Once aware, this population influences their families and multiplies the impact.

3. Clear signage and accessibility

Many people want to recycle but don’t know where. Improve visibility:

Prominent signage at the recycling centre (colours, international symbols)
Interactive maps on the municipal website with collection points
QR codes on containers linking to additional information
Leaflets in chemists and civic centres

Battery and cell collection in the municipality is improved with an online presence:

Regular posts about where to recycle batteries
Infographics on hazardous waste
Short videos explaining the recycling process
Municipal newsletter with sustainability tips

5. Coordination with waste managers and SCRAP

Work hand in hand with your SCRAP manager to:

Review collection frequencies based on demand
Analyse monthly data on tonnes collected
Identify weak points in accessibility
Request joint awareness campaigns

Digital implementation at the recycling centre

Digital management of recycling centres, increasingly widespread, greatly facilitates monitoring of battery and cell collection. With a specialist platform you can:

Record in real time the quantity and type of waste received
Generate automatic reports for MITECO and regional bodies
Identify trends to optimise containers and locations
Improve traceability of waste from receipt to final manager
Enable integrations with SCRAP systems for logistical coordination

This information is valuable not only for regulatory compliance, but for designing more effective campaigns and measuring the impact of your initiatives.

Municipal implementation checklist

To ensure your municipality correctly manages battery and cell collection:

☑ Affiliation with authorised SCRAP (Ecopilas or equivalent)
☑ Specific labelled containers at recycling centre
☑ Minimum 1–2 auxiliary collection points depending on population size
☑ Staff trained in classification and safe handling
☑ Monthly collection data recording
☑ Quarterly coordination with SCRAP manager
☑ Annual awareness campaign (especially school-based)
☑ Municipal website page with container locations
☑ Clear and well-maintained signage

Conclusion: your municipality, key agent in the circular economy

Battery and cell collection in the municipality is not just another administrative obligation: it is a genuine opportunity to contribute to the ecological transition. With Spain pursuing 65% collection by 2030, municipalities that act today will be one step ahead.

The combination of strategic points, school campaigns, good communication and, above all, accurate collection data, makes the difference between a municipality that passively complies with the law and one that leads by example.

If you manage a municipal recycling centre and wish to optimise your flow of batteries, cells and other waste, request a demo with our team. At TuPuntoLimpio we can help you monitor, report and continuously improve your collection rate with digital tools designed for town councils.