Responding to the recycling challenge

Australian Energy Storage conference, 4 June 2015

Helen Lewis Australian Battery Recycling Initiative

ABRI’s vision

Effective stewardship of all end-of-life batteries

Product stewardship

Safety (zero harm)

Responsible environmental management

Recovery at end of life

(zero waste)

Members

We cover all battery types

Handheld batteries (< 1kg)

Single use

•Alkaline manganese

•Zinc carbon

•Zinc air

•Silver oxide

•Manganese dioxide

•Lithium

Rechargeable

•Nickel cadmium

•Nickel metal hydride

•Lithium ion

• Lead acid

Automotive batteries

Rechargeable

• Lead acid

Large and industrial batteries

Rechargeable

• Lead acid

• Nickel cadmium •Nickel metal hydride

•Lithium ion

•Lithium polymer

Processed in

Australia

Advocacy, education, engagement

• Handheld batteries

• Automotive and industrial batteries

What we do

Lead acid batteries

Find a recycler

Guidelines

Regulations

Other energy storage batteries

Guide to recycling

options for energy

storage batteries (early

draft):

www.batteryrecycling.o

rg.au/recycling/energy-

storage-batteries

Recyclability issues

• Emerging technologies with uncertain recyclability

• ‘Recyclability’ is a function of:

− The value of material components

− Recycling facilities with the ability to recover value from used batteries

− Available collection infrastructure

− Someone willing to pay for recycling (if required), i.e.:

o The waste generator (fee for service) OR

o The producer (product stewardship fee)

It’s a question of economics

Costs Value

It’s a question of economics

Costs Value

Cadmium, nickel

Zinc, manganese

Steel, cobalt

Fee

Collection

Sorting

Reprocessing

Education

for more information

Contact details

Helen Lewis

Ph.: 0419 010 158

Email: secretariat@batteryrecycling.org.au

www.batteryrecycling.org.au

Recycling lead acid batteries

Andy Jackson Director, Lex Enviro Services

Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB) in Australia

• Recent estimates regarding ULAB numbers indicate that there are in excess

of 130,000 metric tonnes generated in Australia, per annum. A study

commissioned by ABRI at the end of 2010 * calculated that over 120,000

MT were present at that time and that growth was expected at least in line

with an average population increase of 1.7%

• The majority of ULAB is generated by the Automotive industry ,( passenger &

commercial), along with the Material Handling sector , marine industry and

large scale UPS storage. Increasing numbers are being produced from the

growth of the domestic and commercial energy storage market.

• ULAB are sourced from Manufacturers, Agents, Wholesale rs, Retailers,

Scrap Metal Dealers, Workshops, Landfill stations, Council clean-up and

private individuals.

* Analysis of Battery Consumption, Recycling and Disposal in Australia WARNKEN INDUSTRIAL AND SOCIAL

ECOLOGY PTY LTD (WARNKEN ISE)

Current recycling capacity is covered domestically by six facility’s across Australia with three

lead smelting operations serving the domestic and overseas market for secondary lead

products.

Process

• ULAB processing is based on a Hydro separation principle, whole un-drained

batteries are crushed by hammer mill and component parts are separated.

Process

Up to 98% of a lead acid battery can be recycled and the acid solution neutralised

and treated or re-used in other commercial process. The three main products

recovered from the ULAB is lead grid, lead paste and polypropylene chips from the

broken casings. A typical recovery model is as follows:

Lead Grid up to 30% . Lead Paste up to 40% Plastic (PP chips) > 6%

for more information

Contact details

Andy Jackson

M: 0406 752 533

E: andy@lexenviro.com

Responsible recycling: issues to consider

Will LeMessurier Director, MRI (Aust) Pty Ltd

Practical Issues- in situ

• Check -for damaged or leaking batteries

• Power – is it disconnected

• Identify Battery type/chemistry- do not assume

• Check manufacturers for correct disposal

• Wiring- Is it disconnected or carrying a charge

• Domestic installation - consider children

Practical Issues- Transport

• Packaging – re use new packaging- must meet minimum guidelines

see ABRI website www.batteryrecycling.org.au

• Damage or leaking batteries- use haz mat container

• Ensure Transport Licenced– EPA/DG

• Is EPA Waste Transport Certificate (WTC) required

• Aggregation Points- ask question on licencing

• Interstate movements – will require WTC

• Export – must be exported under Dept. of Environment permit

• Do not mix – different DG classes

• Insurance

X

X

Practical Issues – OH&S- SHEQ

• Lethal Charge -assume they do

• Training

• Don’t trust verbal statements undertake due diligence

• Comply -with regulations and latest available information on website(s)

• Cables - Do not cut without taking adequate precautions

• Disposal –only used legal disposal

• Dumping- is illegal and can lead penalties

• Incorrect disposal will contaminate the environment

Practical issues- Price/Service

• Quotes from contractor

• Quotes to customers

• If UNLAB -a recycle fee for proper disposal

• Ensure correct transport is included in quote(s)

• Licences –check and ask

• Paperwork – is issued correctly

• Request a Recycling /Destruction Certificate

Other issues

• Do your research the buck may stop with you

• There is a range of information to assist you on the ABRI website

www.batteryrecycling.org.au

• There is Australian Standard(s) planned for Energy storage be familiar

with them

• Above all else BE SAFE

for more information

Contact details

Will LeMessurier

MRI (Aust) Pty Ltd

Ph.: 0419 302 682

Email: will@mri.com.au

www.mri.com.au

Sam Behrens, Research Group Leader CSIRO Energy Flagship

Panel discussion / Q&A