This document provides an overview of battery recycling programs in several countries. It analyzes the battery recycling efforts of China, the USA, Belgium, and Australia. China lacks strong governmental support and public awareness. The USA has stringent legislation and public participation, but weak government support. Belgium has highly efficient collection networks and strong governmental/retailer support. Australia lacks relevant legislation and has initial recycling programs. Key factors for successful programs include supportive governments, education, legislation, management, and recycling technology. Singapore previously had some collection efforts but poor response. A local company has an innovative lead-acid battery reconditioning process.
Energy Resources. ( B. Pharmacy, 1st Year, Sem-II) Natural Resources
Battery recycling slide presentation
1. A Detailed Study on Battery Recycling
Programmes in other Countries.
By:
Lim Zhong Yan 0521170
Lin Shan 0514600
Tay Jing Yun 0520434
2.
3. Overview
Battery Recycling Programmes in other
Countries.
Importance of battery recycling
Case study on programmes in other countries
Formulate a suitable program to
implement in Singapore
15. Impacts of Improper Battery Disposal
Mercury
Dumping of mercury
compounds in Minamata
Bay, Japan, polluting the bay
in 1932–1968.
Since 1992, Singapore
banned mercury in batteries
with concentrations more
than 0.025%.
16. Impacts of Improper Battery Disposal
Cadmium
Cadmium is known to cause cancer
Inhalation of cadmium-containing fumes
can result initially in metal fume fever
but may progress to chemical
pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, and
death.
NEA have already controlled the types
of consumer batteries allowed to be
sold.
17. Impacts of Improper Battery Disposal
Lead Acid Contamination
Haina, Dominican Republic
Toxic fumes produced
were over the limits
Improper
decommissioning of
recycling plant
91% of 147 children had
lead poisoning
18. Impacts of Improper Battery Disposal
Lead Acid Contamination
La Oroya, Peru
Heavy lead mining and
smelting
High risk of developing
lung cancer as well as
other respiratory
ailments, skin
conditions, and
digestive disorders.
19. Impacts of Improper Battery Disposal
Lead Acid Contamination
La Oroya, Peru (cont’d)
Report done in 1999
showed out of 147 children,
99% had lead poisoning.
Doe Run is the main driver
of the local economy and
hence able to exercise
control over the livelihood
of the population.
20. Exploration of countries
Deciding factors for choosing countries for case study:
Impact
Efforts
Public awareness
Scale
Person per battery disposed
Recycling techniques
Storage and sorting facilities
21. Exploration of countries
There were other countries that also displayed
the factors mentioned but did not do so on a
large scale. Examples are :
Philippines
Malaysia
22.
23. China
Increased technological
advancements and higher standards
of living
Produces 15 billion batteries a year
which amounts to a third of the world’s
total production of batteries
Domestic market still consumes
around 6 billion units
24. China
Lead Acid Batteries
More than 50 million
waste lead-acid
batteries are recycled
annually in China
About 140 thousand
tons of secondary lead
are recovered
80 – 85% secondary
lead recovery rate
25. China
Household Batteries
Only 1 – 2% are recycled
Policy on Technique Adapted to Pollution
Prevention from Waste Batteries (PTPPWB)
Policy based on an understanding that most
zinc- and alkaline-manganese batteries sold
and used in China contain mercury weight
less than 0.0001%
26. China
Efforts
In 2006, a campaign was launched to
promote the recycling of used batteries in the
Guangdong province of China
In 2001, Beijing’s high schools and primary
schools took part in a waste battery recycling
project
27. China
Governmental Efforts
In 2003, the State Environmental Protection Agency
(SEPA), together with nine other government bodies,
co-issued a new policy on battery recycling called
Policy on Technique Adapted to Pollution Prevention
from Waste Batteries (PTPPWB).
The government has gradually increased the
proportion of GDP allocated to environmental
protection from 0.72 percent in 1989 to 1.33 percent
in 2003.
28. China
Legislation
“Law of the People’s Republic of China on
Prevention and Control of Solid Waste Pollution to
the Environment” which was implemented in 1996,
hazardous wastes should be treated separately
according to their property
In 2003, Policy on Technique adapted to Pollution
Prevention from Waste Batteries (PTPPWB).
29. China
Analysis
Lack of Strong Governmental Support
Lack of Public Awareness and Participation
Lack of Proper Storage and Sorting Facilities
Lack of Advanced Recycling Techniques
30. China
Conclusion
A more enthusiastic and supportive
government would help greatly.
Introduce a rigid legal system so
organisations, companies and its people will
follow strictly.
31. USA
Lead consumption alone by United States can reach
as high as 1.54 million tons of lead
Americans throw away over 3 billion primary and
secondary batteries, 745 million SGD worth.
Lead acid batteries make up 74% of lead in USA
98% of all recycled lead is produced in USA with 17
recycling facilities
32. USA
Legislation
All rechargeable batteries have to bear a
symbol.
California have the strictest legislation
directly affecting batteries.
Disposal of lead-acid batteries in landfills and
incinerators prohibited and retailers are
required to accept used batteries.
33. USA
RBRC
Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Corporation (RBRC) is a non-profit, public
service organization
Started in 1994.
Removed fees associated with its
community recycling program starting in
January 2003
36. USA
Conclusion
Stringent legislation and strong public
awareness contribute to USA’s successful
recycling campaign.
Major advantage is the removal of charges
for sending batteries for recycling, and easy
access to battery recycling bins.
37. Belgium Case Study
Introduction
In Belgium, BEBAT is the company responsible
for collection and recycling of batteries
They have been operational since 1995/1996
and are fully backed by the government
The number of used batteries they collect keep
increasing through the years
39. Belgium Case Study
Belgium’s Effort in Recycling
BEBAT was founded by the battery industry
in 1995 for the purpose of collection and
recycling of batteries
They are backed by federal and regional
authorities
Companies register themselves with BEBAT
to comply with environmental legislations
They are partners with other battery
recycling companies
40. Belgium Case Study
Governmental Efforts
EPBA (European Portable Battery Association)
was established in Belgium with consent of the
government
They are responsible for the development of
the battery industry in Europe
The Belgian government helped BEBAT by
using the media and broadcasting commercials
to get the public aware
They also allowed BEBAT to place over 20,000
collection points in public areas in the country
41.
42. Belgium Case Study
Legislation
On 6 September 2006, there was a new directive of the
EU parliament and council on batteries
The new directive states that there shall be specific
standards that each country must fulfill
The minimum standard for collection rate of batteries is
as follows:
(a) 25 % by 26 September 2012 ;
(b) 45 % by 26 September 2016
In Belgium’s case, this is not a problem for them as they
have highest amount for collection of spent batteries at
59%
43. Belgium Case Study
Analysis
Efficiency of collection network
Strong governmental and retailer support
Strong Environmental awareness and public
participation
44. Belgium Case Study
Conclusion
Belgium is considered to be one of the most
successful countries in battery recycling
Their battery collection and recycling network
should be a model to other countries
However, they still needed the help of various
other factors
All in all, Belgium can be said to be
unparalleled in their effective system and
network of battery recycling
45. Australia
Second waste country on earth
Australians discard about 8,000 tons of used
batteries
Municipal landfill sites are so contaminated
they probably require special containment
60 to 80 lead acid batteries are pulled out
from a landfill each day.
46. Australia
Three lead acid battery plants operate within
Australia in SA, Queensland and NSW.
Up to one third of Australia’s batteries have
been recycled outside Australia in Third
World countries
Proposed lead battery recycling facility in
Wagga Wagga rejected
47. Australia
Cleanaway
Cleanaway is Australia’s largest waste
management operator.
In 2006, CleanAway introduced a new
battery-recycling programme in Australia.
Major disadvantage is, recycling box
provided, but costs are borne by companies.
Batteries are sent overseas with export
permit exclusive only to 2 companies.
48. Australia
Battery Back
Started in June 2007
A joint initiative of Sustainability Victoria,
UniRoss and CleanAway
Harvey Norman and Michaels Camera Video
and Digital provide collection points.
49. Australia
Legislation
Few relevant legislation to back battery
recycling.
Hazardous Waste Act was updated in 1996
for wastes with financial value to be destined
overseas for recycling and recovery
operations.
50. Australia
Analysis
Lack of Legislation
Mild Environmental awareness and Public
participation
Strong Australian Governmental support
Backward Reycling Techniques
51. Australia
Conclusion
Australia’s battery recycling programs are still
at a initial stage.
Still room for improvement compared to other
countries.
But progress is the first step to a successful
battery recycling program.
55. Analysis
Governmental Support (Cont’d)
Belgium’s government was the most supportive.
They supported BEBAT by funding them and
supporting them throughout their entire process.
Educational programs on recycling batteries.
56. Analysis
Governmental Support (Cont’d)
China has the least support from the
government among the 4 countries.
They do not have a rigid workable system
from collecting to recycling of batteries.
Do not wish to be involved in battery
recycling activities.
58. Analysis
Public Awareness (cont’d)
Belgium remains the best in public
awareness.
Commercials broadcasted in mainstream
media encouraging the recycling of batteries
by BEBAT
59. Analysis
Public Awareness (cont’d)
Australia has the least public awareness.
There’s only two companies that recycle
batteries and are not given much attention by
Australians
61. Analysis
Legislations (cont’d)
Belgium has the most stringent legislation to
date.
European Union has set a minimum standard
for collection rate of batteries and it is as
follows:
– 25 % by 26 September 2012 ;
– 45 % by 26 September 2016
62. Analysis
Legislations (cont’d)
China currently do not have single unified law
to address batteries and their recycling
Not clear who is responsible for storing and
transporting waste batteries and how the cost
will be borne
64. Analysis
Recycling Technique (Cont’d)
None of the countries had a perfect recycling
technique.
The difficulty of finding a recycling technique
that is environmental friendly and yet
effective still needs to be overcome.
USA and Belgium are not yet self sufficient,
they still need to send some of their batteries
overseas for recycling.
65. Analysis
Recycling Technique (Cont’d)
Australia’s lead acid recycling
facilities do not fully comply to
the environmental legislations.
China unwilling to invest on
more technology for better
recycling techniques
66. Analysis
Storage and Sorting Facilities
The process and
storage, after
they are
collected and
before they are
recycled.
67. Analysis
Storage and Sorting Facilities (cont’d)
Belgium has the best storage and sorting
facilities.
BEBAT’s sorting technology is automated.
The mechanical processing unit sorts zinc-
carbon and alkaline-batteries.
They have 20,000 collection points which
serve as storage facilities before sending to
the plants for processing.
68. Analysis
Storage and Sorting Facilities (cont’d)
China has an obvious
lack of proper storage
and sorting facility
Batteries collected are
left in the open
awaiting to be
delivered to a recycling
plant
69. Analysis
Conclusion
USA and Belgium are leading countries in battery
recycling
They each have non-profit organizations that
dedicate themselves solely to the cause
China and Australia still have much room for
improvement
They have the foundation, now they need to build on
it.
70. Factors that made Overseas
Recycling Programmes Feasible
Supportive Government
Effective Education and Promotion Program
Firm Legislation and Policies
Strong Management of Programmes
Safe and Advanced Recycling Technology
71. Past and Present efforts in
Singapore
Green Plan in 2012 launched by NEA.
Prompted Nokia, IKEA, Singapore
Environment Council (SEC), to provide
collection points for batteries.
SEC provided previous batch of seniors with
a report ‘mad about batteries’
72. Past and Present efforts in
Singapore (IKEA)
IKEA collection of
household batteries
ended in 2004 due to
poor response.
Batteries eventually sent
for destruction instead of
recycling facilities.
73. Past and Present efforts in
Singapore (NOKIA)
However, used Nokia
handphones, handphone
batteries and accessories
are still collected in Nokia
retail outlets.
There are 5 collection
points.
74. Past and Present efforts in
Singapore (Energenics)
A MNC which is a supplier of alternative energy
solutions and technologies.
Discovered an innovative way of reconditioning
lead-acid batteries
The process will be shown in a video that we have
recorded ourselves at the Energenics facility.
75.
76. Past and Present efforts in
Singapore (NEA)
Disposal of household batteries were not of main
concern.
No collection and separation of batteries are done
except for lead-acid batteries due to its harmfulness.
NEA encourages battery manufactures, distributors
and retailers to voluntarily set up more collection
points and fund the recycling of batteries.
The Singapore Green Plan 2012 will be looking into
doing a follow up on battery recycling.
77. Constraints faced by Singapore
Lack of support from the government
Lack of land space
Rigid laws and legislations
Low volume of waste batteries collected
Lack of environmental awareness in Singapore
78. Implemention in Singapore Polytechnic
Plan Proposal for a Battery Recycling
Program in Singapore Polytechnic
Mandatory versus Voluntary Recycling
Funding
Education and Promotion
Collection Points
After Collection
79. Conclusion
A battery recycling facility would not be
feasible.
A battery collection would be a more realistic
approach to battery recycling.
Implementation of program in Singapore
Polytechnic would be the first step.
Collaboration with governmental authorities
in pushing battery recycling awareness.
80. Future Work
Implement a battery collection program in Singapore
Use our group’s research to propose a battery
collection program to government agencies
Use Singapore Green Plan 2012 to jump start the
program
Model the program under an effective example like
Belgium’s unparalleled battery collection and
recycling network
Editor's Notes
Ask a question ‘do you recycle anything? Newspapers? Plastic bottles? Batteries?’ question, ‘’do you recycle your batteries? If the answer is no, then listen up, we are going to tell you the consequences of not recycling batteries.
When explaining your points, remember to bring the topic back to the main point, which is the title of our report.Introduce the members who are presenting each point.
Summarise whole classification of batteries, table, demand of batteries, bring batteries like, litium ion, alkaline
Fish and shellfish have a natural tendency to concentrate mercury in their bodies
They are high on the food chain amass body burdens of mercury that can be ten times higher, or more, than the species they consume
eaten by the local population caused the largest case of mercury poisoning known. Minamata disease caused the deaths of over 1000 people and permanently disabled a great many more.
Mercury released into the environ thru metal smelting
Our concerns with the disposal of household batteries are mainly in the mercury content of batteries. However, since 1992, Singapore has banned the sale of mercury oxide batteries, zinc carbon batteries containing more than 0.001% by weight of mercury per battery, and alkaline batteries containing more than 0.025% by weight of mercury per battery.
However, numerous state and federal regulations in the United States control the amount of cadmium that can be released to the air from waste sites and incinerators so that properly regulated sites are not hazardous.
Inhaling cadmium-laden dust quickly leads to respiratory tract and kidney problems which can be fatal (often from renal failure). Ingestion of any significant amount of cadmium causes immediate poisoning and damage to the liver and the kidneys. Compounds containing cadmium are also carcinogenic.
The bones become soft (osteomalacia), lose bone mass and become weaker (osteoporosis). This causes the pain in the joints and the back, and also increases the risk of fractures. In extreme cases of cadmium poisoning, the mere body weight causes a fracture.
The kidneys lose their function to remove acids from the blood in proximal renal tubular dysfunction. The kidney damage inflicted by cadmium poisoning is irreversible and does not heal over time. The proximal renal tubular dysfunction creates low phosphate levels in the blood (hypophosphatemia), causing muscle weakness and sometimes coma. The dysfunction also causes gout, a form of arthritis due to the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints because of high acidity of the blood (hyperuricemia). Another side effect is increased levels of chloride in the blood (hyperchloremia). The kidneys can also shrink up to 30%.
Other patients lose their sense of smell (anosmia).
a research was done on 147 children. Out of these 147 children, more than 91% of them had lead poisoning with a average blood level was 71, and one child had 247 (Factiva, 2007).
proper disposal of the lead acid left behind, and the children living near the area loiter around the plant
decommissioning procedure of the plant was done erroneously. The batteries were buried with a cement wall constructed over the stacked buried batteries. Eventually, the wall collapsed, buried batteries crumbled, leaving the debris to slide downhill. This led to scavengers digging up the metals which are worth selling
The retention of lead in the soil can stay for thousands of years to come, and removal of lead would take a lot of time and money, while affecting the lives of the people
Sulfur dioxide concentrations also exceed the World Health Organization emissions standards by ten fold. The vegetation in the surrounding area has been destroyed by acid rain due to high sulphur dioxide emissions
concerted NGO movement is now underway to pressure the company and the government to develop effective strategies for implementation of site remediation agreements and to provide health care for affected residents. Some sampling and testing has been done in the local communities and the areas outside the plant to determine the levels of pollutants.
1999 showed that ninety-nine percent of children living in and around La Oroya have blood lead levels that exceed acceptable amounts
Ironic isnt it.
Go by continents, generally, elaborate on the points.
the recycling of primary batteries seems to have come to a screeching halt as the new policy (article 3.2) clearly states that the government does no principally support the collection of waste primary batteries due to lack of technically and economically feasible solutions for recycling such batteries. This policy is based on an understanding that most zinc- and alkaline-manganese batteries sold and used in China contain mercury weight less than 0.0001% (Guo 2003)
L
However, the effectiveness of the ban of discarding batteries into the waste stream depends a lot on the residents' sense of responsibility. The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has said it will not sort through garbage cans to hunt down violators, but instead will “focus its enforcement resources on complaint response and on violations of the hazardous waste regulations that present immediate and significant risks to public health or the environment,” according to a department statement
Feb 2006
he program will be available at no charge to public agencies as well. This includes federal, state, and local governmental agencies, public hospitals, police and fire departments, and military institutions. Since RBRC lifted its participation fees for communities, they have seen an increase in program participation of 21%.
The success of RBRC recycling efforts doesn’t come easy and major factors contributed to each other to make the recycling programme work. With increased concerns on batteries in the waste stream, they pushed for stringent legislation for batteries. But yet at the same time with stringent legislation, they also increased more awareness and compulsory participation of the residents in California. Since close to 97% of lead acid batteries in USA are being recycled, there are almost nil worries of lead contaminating the waste stream. So therefore, United States diverted their attention to rechargeable batteries that contains hazardous substances like cadmium and lithium, determined to remove them from their municipal solid waste stream. Formed in 1994 to collect rechargeable batteries, citizens of USA have more choices on where to dispose their batteries, either with RBRC or the rubbish dump. With RBRC recycling boxes easily accessible to, convenience is given to them, but efforts ultimately still depend on the citizens.
Global Renewables, municipal landfill sites are so contaminated they probably require special containment. Half a million car batteries end up in Australian landfills each year. Global Renewables pulls out 60 to 80 lead aicd batteries a day from the Eastern Creek landfill in Sydney, and that 3 per cent of the rubbish is contributing for a disproportional percentage of the hazardous substances present in the rubbish.
though the lead acid battery industry claims a recycling rate of over 90%, up to one third of Australia’s batteries have been recycled outside Australia in Third World countries, sometimes by children and always with much less stringent control for occupational health and safety and environmental protection.
2006, CleanAway introduced a new battery-recycling programme in Australia. It is almost similar to RBRC in USA. Their battery-recycling programme aims to remove rechargeable batteries from the waste stream and to respond to increasingly concerns of the Australian government and community towards hazardous waste in the waste stream.
Act 1989 to send the batteries to France for recycling (WME, 2005). The only other company with a permit is Saft, but it is only handling its own brand batteries. The batteries are then sorted and repackaged into drums, placed in a shipping container and taken to Sydney for shipment to France. Their first load of batteries arrived in France on August 2005 for processing by specialist battery recycler SNAM. SNAM is a prominent nickel-cadmium recycling facility in France following stringent legislation regulations
Sustainability Victoria is a governmental organization established under the Sustainability Victoria Act 2005. They work across all industry sectors, as well as with schools, State and local governments, community groups and individuals to promote and encourage environmental sustainability (Sustainability Victoria, 2007). UniRoss, established in 1968, is one of the world leaders in manufacturing rechargeable batteries. They have a worldwide presence in more than 70 countries, and are committed in protecting the environment too.
Restricted to Victoria, the smallest mainland state in area, but the most densely populated and urbanized with 25% of Australia’s population at 5.1 million people situated in Victoria
Legislation before 1996, meant that people had to throw their lead acid batteries into the MSW or sent for reccycling, which they only have 3 recycling plants.
. The lack of legislation in Australia regarding batteries is a major disadvantage to recycling programmes in Australia as throwing a battery into the bin is more convenient than going to a specified place to drop the battery.
But regarding their awareness towards the toxicity of batteries would be hard to tell as the earliest battery recycling programme in Australia only started in 2006. With no previous statistics to tell, we can say that the improvement is evident, as long as the first battery recycling program is launched and on-going for a year to date.
Sustainability Victoria, shows that they are concerned about the importance of getting rid of rechargeable batteries out of the waste stream by supporting and sponsoring the initial launch of a battery recycling programme BatteryBack.
. This is a major disadvantage as exporting batteries for recycling not only need a permit; they also have to pay high costs for shipping. The extra costs would highly discourage companies from recycling their batteries. Morever, there are only 3 lead acid batteries recycling plants in Australia, forcing them to send one third of their spent lead acid batteries to third world countries with un-regulated legislation on emissions. Rejected wagga wagga plant
Although Australia seemed to have more cons than pros, they are readily on their way to improvements in battery recycling. Starting the campaign of recycling rechargeable batteries from CleanAway, Australia’s largest waste management operator, would have a bigger impact on Australians to recycle more rechargeable batteries. Following into footsteps of RBRC from United States, CleanAway started with charging fees for the sent batteries for recycling. Because CleanAway is still at the initial stage, they would need sometime to improve the awareness of Australians towards the importance of battery recycling.
Compare and contrast
Australia protested against for a proposed lead acid recycling plant, and another in operation complained for polluting the neighbourhood.
NEA - national environmental agency
Present past programmes, including energenics
The Singapore Environment Council is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 2nd November 1995. It is a non-profit organisation with the status of an institution of public character and it is an approved charity which therefore offers tax exemption for donors.
But the report mad about batteries is no longer with our seniors.
Wheelock PlaceSuntec CityCentury Square
Causeway PointParkway Parade used Nokia handphones, handphone batteries and accessories are collected
Interview with NEA, future efforts
Thanks for your concern and support in recycling. 2) Our concerns with the disposal of household batteries are mainly in the mercury content of batteries. However, since 1992, Singapore has banned the sale of mercury oxide batteries, zinc carbon batteries containing more than 0.001% by weight of mercury per battery, and alkaline batteries containing more than 0.025% by weight of mercury per battery. 3) We do not have separate collection and disposal for batteries except for batteries used by vehicles and industries. The vehicle and industry batteries contain lead and are therefore harmful. Lead acid batteries are collected separately by licensed toxic waste collectors and recycled at overseas facilities. The list of these collectors is at http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/article.asp?pid=1467 4) For consumer batteries, we can avoid the collection and disposal problems as we have already controlled the types of consumer batteries allowed to be sold. Hence, consumer batteries are disposed of together with other wastes at the incineration plants. We have been monitoring the emissions at the incineration plants and the level of mercury and other heavy metals are virtually not detectable. 5) You may wish to note that there are recycling bins available at the Nokia Care Centres for old or used mobile phones, accessories and their batteries. The locations of the Nokia Care Centre can be found at our NEA web site :http://www.nea.gov.sg/cms/rcd/locations/map.html 6) For now, NEA will continue to encourage battery manufactures, distributors and retailers to voluntarily set up more collection points and fund the battery recycling. The Singapore Green Plan 2012 Action Programme Committee on Waste Management has also identified this as an action programme to follow up on. Thanks and regards. WU WEI Environmental Health Executive Resource Conservation Department The National Environment Agency