In 1992 the selective collection of batteries through shops was launched in Catalonia under the slogan Apila el mercuri a part. To make collection possible the Junta de Residus (now Waste Agency of Catalonia) provided special containers so people could drop off their used batteries. There are currently over 16,000 battery collection points in Catalonia.

However, the collection process depends on the source of the batteries:

• Domestic batteries can be left in special battery containers in shops selling electrical appliances, toys, cameras, clocks and watches, etc. and at collection centres. These shops are known as collection points. Each collection point has a place assigned that centralises management: distribution of containers, removal of full containers, delivery of information leaflets, and so on. These are the so-called “centralising points”: town councils, regional councils or shops centralising distribution chains.
• Batteries from industry must be stored by companies, segregated from other waste and without being mixed with paper, plastic or cardboard wrapping. In any case, large batteries must be separated from button cell batteries.