Batteries Retailer take-back trials – 4 month-on Survey
A short qualitative 4 month-on survey was undertaken by WRAP in February 2007. 14 out of the 15* stores which have launched the batteries retailer take-back trials completed the survey.
* this survey excludes Tesco stores as these are yet to launch
Results show that all trials appear to be running smoothly. Some battery collections were slow at the start until customers realised the facility was available. Most stores have collected more batteries than they anticipated. Some customers have been making a conscious effort to bring batteries into the store when going shopping.
The stores have received positive feedback from customers who feel that the battery collection scheme is ‘a good idea’ with the exception of some customers in Eastleigh who already have a kerbside collection scheme provided by the local council (WRAP comment: this retailer take-back scheme is complementary to the kerbside scheme and is not a replacement for it. These schemes target slightly different groups of people.)
The collection tubes are generally placed front of store at the point of sale or at the entrance/exit.
The scheme has also been received positively by most store staff, as it is a straight forward stand alone facility. At some stores, such as Argos in central Swansea and Currys Digital in Eastleigh, staff have actively been promoting the scheme.
