Around 825,000 kilos of discarded batteries found during inspection in port of Rotterdam

A total of 825,000 kilos of old, discarded batteries were found in 33 containers during inspections in the port of Rotterdam last autumn. This was reported by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) on Tuesday, who said that they are shocked about the "immense amount of lead-acid batteries.”

The load was found in October during controls by Customs and was on its way from Jamaica, and the American territory of Puerto Rico to India, where the batteries would be processed.

According to the papers, the containers contained harmless plastic waste and metal scraps, but it turned out to be hazardous waste. The cargo also had no permits.

“This scale of illegal smuggling of dangerous waste has never been seen by the inspectorate before,” said a spokesperson of the ILT. The inspectorate was notified as they are responsible for the transport of dangerous materials and policing the export of waste.

The ILT has blocked the transport to India out of fears of a fire during the trip. Therefore, the containers are currently still in the port of Rotterdam. International law states that the lead-acid batteries have to be sent back to the country they came from. Collaboration is ongoing with American and Jamaican authorities in search of a solution.

The inspectorate pointed out that the lead-acid batteries contain severely poisonous materials that are damaging to humans and the environment. Incorrect or unsafe processing can cause injury or environmental damage. "It was also questionable whether responsible processing would take place in India,” according to the ILT.