Some developed nations are in the habit of sending used materials to the third world, especially to Africa for ‘recycling’. However, International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) says used lithium-ion batteries should not follow mistakes they made when transferring used computers. Therefore, it proposes clear rules for shipping used lithium-ion batteries responsibly. This sounds like sensible idea.
Rules for Shipping Used Lithium-Ion Batteries: Perspectives
But IPEN believes shipping should respect the needs of both parties to the transaction. And moreover Phyllis Omido from Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action in Kenya agrees.
“We must set clear rules for shipping used batteries to low- and middle-income countries”, she says. “The mistakes as made with the export of old computers must therefore not recur again.”
Dr. Johannes Betz of Oeko-Institut, a leading European research and consultancy foundation in Germany is on the same page. “There is currently a trend to ‘donate’ used batteries to other countries,” he explains “for example for solar plants in Africa”.
“But it is hard to understand why the focus is on shipping old batteries to low- and middle- income countries,” he continues. “Given the great need for electricity storage in Germany and the EU”.
IPEN Recommends Four Minimum Standards in Future.
1… First, shipped batteries should not be inferior to those in common use in receiving countries.
2… They should also be high quality, with least 80 % of their original energy storage capacity.
3… Moreover, if equivalent to new, they should have a price advantage in receiving countries.
4… Shipments should also follow international protocols. Batteries must have proven functionality.
5… Finally, shippers must collect the equivalent quantity in receiving countries and recycle them.
However, more work needs doing into local take-back logistics, reuse and recycling, says Dr. Leslie Adogame from SRADev Nigeria. “But please stop even considering sending your waste batteries to Africa.”
Breaking News
Tackling Water Uncertainty in Climate Change
Extending Organic Aqueous Flow Battery Life
