Handheld batteries have always played a vital role in our
lives. They see usage in everything from hearing aids and power tools to the
latest smart phones and laptops. But there always comes a time when a battery
becomes completely devoid of charge and is no longer able to serve the purpose
for which it has been built for. At such a time, used batteries are usually
disposed of in the most unsafe manner either through landfills or smelters.
This is especially the case in Australia, where 96% of used batteries are
disposed of in landfills. Instead, if these used handheld batteries are
recycled, many tons of valuable, non-renewable metals and plastics can be put
back into production streams. Moreover, recycling used batteries can also keep
many toxic metals away from polluting the environment through leakage and
landfill leaching.
In comparison, the European Union (EU) member states are far
more efficient when it comes to recycling used batteries. From as far back as
in 1991, EU has sought to increase the recycling rates for used batteries from
the 5% (which it was back then) to a more acceptable level. After a series of
studies and subsequent directives getting passed, EU states now have to draft
laws which comply with a strict recycling rate of at least 45% for all used
batteries as per the 2006 Battery Directive. And most EU states do manage to
either surpass this rate or are at least taking steps to ensure that this
target is being reached. One of the biggest reasons for the EU’s success in the
domain of recycling used household batteries is due to the laws that mandate
battery manufactures retailers and distributors to actively participate in the
recycling process.
The EU has shown that by just having requirements as simple
as preventing manufacturers from refusing to take back waste batteries, used
handheld batteries see a much higher recycling rate. The EU Battery Directive
also calls for member states to provide easily accessible used battery
collection sites that operate free of charge to the public. Moreover, by having fixed recycling
percentages that need to be achieved, the EU has ensured that there is some
degree of greater need and urgency in the matter of recycling because the number
of used handheld batteries is only escalating on a yearly basis. And by having
no resolute drive to counter this reality, used household batteries could one
day in the near future become a real menace to the environment if incineration
or landfill dumping is the only option left in store for them.
With this very sentiment in mind, a group of progressive
battery manufacturers, retailers, distributors, recyclers, environmental and
government bodies united together in 2008 and created the Australian Battery
Recycling Initiative (ABRI). The goal of this not-for-profit association is to
promote environmentally friendly disposal standards for all used batteries.
ABRI is also a strong advocate for the establishment of a National Product Stewardship Scheme.
Product Stewardship is a concept which has been the cornerstone for the success
of the EU’s used battery recycling directives. By this principle, battery
manufacturers should be held accountable for the efficient disposal and
recovery of used batteries and are also responsible in providing the consumers
means for convenient used battery disposal.
While in recent years some inroads have been made to
increasing the low 4% recycling rate for used handheld batteries in Australia,
without any concrete legislation banning batteries to landfill and a national
Product Stewardship Scheme, the recycling rates are not projected to rise and
match EU standards. There are a few take-back programs in Australia, which
offer similar free of charge services like those in the EU, but for the most
part used household battery recycling is currently a relatively expensive
process. Companies such as Resource however provide efficient and affordable
recycling solutions for the majority of used household batteries in Australia
and remain focused on providing a local solution to a local problem.
Visit at: https://www.resourc.com.au/
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