The idea behind the Battery Box came to René Depuis, product manager at the company that manufactures and sells the box, Whtif, in 2021.

– One day the kid was standing there with the used batteries for his gaming controller. I was familiar with the dangers of batteries going astray, and I thought it had to be possible to create a simple and safe solution so that the batteries would actually be taped up and recycled. And I think we have done that.

The result is a patented battery box that will help ordinary households and businesses get control of their used household batteries. Also built into the box is a tape dispenser with specially made stickers. The stickers are intended to cover the battery terminals, so that the batteries cannot short-circuit, heat up and cause a fire. The box has been tested to withstand battery fires at 618 degrees, but the inventors believe it can withstand higher temperatures.

The idea behind the battery box is much the same as for a bicycle helmet. If the accident happens first, the battery box will take most of the impact, just like a bicycle helmet will do when you fall. And just like a bicycle helmet, you will therefore have to replace it with a new and undamaged box afterwards.

Importance of good habits

According to the Norwegian Environment Agency, approximately 65% of portable batteries are collected through producer responsibility companies. In comparison, over 92% of all beverage packaging with a deposit label in Norway is returned.

When it comes to how many of the batteries are taped, neither the Norwegian Environment Agency nor one of the largest producer responsibility companies, Norsirk, has an overview of this.

More and more of what people have at home is becoming wireless and therefore battery-powered. Therefore, Depuis believes that taking good care of and recycling used batteries will become even more important in the future.