E176 - What percentage of household batteries are actually recycled?

Emily asked what percentage of AA and AAA batteries are actually recycled. The official UK figure suggests around 45% of household batteries are recycled, but the reality is more complicated. We explain why lead-acid batteries dominate the recycling statistics, why this masks the performance of everyday household batteries, and why the true recycling rate for AA and AAA-style batteries may be closer to 14% than 45%.

This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 91 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 23rd April 2026.

While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate...