In 2010, the EU recorded 176,000 tons worth of battery sales. This number dipped a little in 2013 - to 169,000 - before reaching a high of 191,000 in 2018.
While the number of battery sales has peaked, so too has the number of recycled batteries. What began as 55,000 tons in 2010 climbed to 88,000 in 2018, in other words, 48% of batteries where recycled in 2018, as opposed to 35% in 2010.
In terms of country rankings, Croatia comes out on top with an impressive 96% of batteries recycled in 2018. Poland follows with 81% and Luxembourg lands third place with 69%.
At fourth and fifth places we have Belgium with 62% and Slovakia with 58%. Countries that fared worst are Portugal (31%), Estonia and Cyprus (both with 30%).
