The Embassy of the Netherlands launches used battery recycling collection bin
25 September 2018
Press Release
The Netherlands Embassy in cooperation with Sustainability Trust launched a pilot battery recycling bin on 25 September
2018. John Evans of IT Recycla, the company that will recycle the used batteries, was also present for this special
occasion. The bin at the Embassy is the second public used batteries collection point in Wellington. Sustainability
Trust also has a collection bin at their office. The bin will be available to all its Embassy staff and to customers
visiting the Netherlands Embassy to apply for visa and passport. The Embassy aims to collect up to 200 kg.
In this way, the Embassy itself aims to operate in a more sustainable manner, by practicing what we preach and to
contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. The Embassy has also worked with Sustainability Trust, via the Your
Sustainable Workplace – Towards Zero Waste Programme. The result of this was an overall reduction in waste of 51% and a
workplace ranking of A.
During this celebratory moment, the Netherlands Ambassador Mira Woldberg said, “The Netherlands is very active in
promoting efforts towards a sustainable environment at home and abroad. In Europe, the Netherlands ranks at the top for
used battery collection, going even further than the mandatory EU percentage of 45% battery collection. Still, both in
the Netherlands and NZ many more efforts should be made to reshape how waste is collected and used.”
Phil Squire, CEO for the Sustainability Trust Fund said “I’m very happy with this initiative of the Dutch Embassy as a
bottom-up approach is really what we need.”
The collection of used batteries constitutes an important step to reduce environmental degradation. Batteries that end
up in landfill release many toxic chemicals during their decomposition process.
If you want to know more about the importance of battery collection, and how it's done in the Netherlands, go to https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/countries/new-zealand/latest