RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES - CADMIUM A TOXIC CHOICE.

The toxic metal cadmium is still found in 80 per cent of rechargeable batteries, finds a new report from Ethical Consumer magazine.

Cadmium is a known human carcinogen, so Ethical Consumer advises consumers to avoid Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) rechargeable batteries and to choose Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) instead. It also cautions against putting rechargeable batteries into household waste bins. In the absence of other facilities, such as recycling, they should be mailed back to the supplier.

EU attempts at banning cadmium in batteries have been countered by fierce lobbying from the battery industry. The American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium (of which Procter & Gamble, owner of the Duracell battery brand, is a patron member) reacted to the proposals by saying that a ban on cadmium would infringe upon free trade agreements with the US.

Although the EU has now agreed on a phasing out of cadmium in batteries, this will take some time, meaning it will continue to be disposed of in general waste well into the next decade.

Also covered in the report:

Poor battery recycling rates in the UK  how a new scheme is set to change all this. Get the most from your rechargeable batteries.

Uniross is rated as Best Buy in our new report, with an ethiscore of 12 out of 20. Uniross NiMH batteries are available from Maplins and Jessops high street stores. The Duracell brand, owned by Procter & Gamble, came last in our ratings with 3.5 out of 20.

BATTERY BRAND (Ethiscore out of 20)

Uniross (12) GP (10) Energizer (9.5) Eveready (9.5)
Jessops (9.5)
Rayovac (9.5)
Maxell (8)
Panasonic (7)
Varta (7)
Duracell (3.5)

NOTES TO JOURNALISTS

Ethiscore is a numerical rating (out of 20) designed to allow consumers to compare companies across a range of corporate responsibility issues, including the environment, human and animal rights. The higher the score, the better a companys ethical record. For more information visit www.ethiscore.org.

For interviews please contact Ruth Rosselson on 07944 674 291 or the Ethical Consumer office on 0161 226 2929.