RESPONSIBLE RECYCLING OF ENERGY STORAGE …

1 RESPONSIBLE RECYCLING OF ENERGY STORAGE BATTERIESA ustralian battery RECYCLING InitiativeBENEFITS OF RECYCLINGR ecycling batteries at the end of their life has a numberof benefits: It enables the recovery and reuse of materialsincluding lead, iron, plastics, aluminium, copper,lithium, cobalt and electrolyte It diverts toxic and hazardous materials from landfill It ensures that batteries are managed safely There may be a financial return (depending on the battery type).CHOOSING A RECYCLABLEBATTERYR ecyclability is one of the issues that you will want toconsider when you purchase an ENERGY STORAGE batterysystem. Think about their potential for a second lifethrough reuse, remanufacturing or RECYCLING . Therecyclability of a particular battery technology dependson two material components, whether the individualcomponents can be separated and recycled into newmaterials that have a commercial value.

2 Infrastructure, the availability of: collection and drop-off services for the battery type companies that will either reprocess them within Australia or export them for information on the main battery typesis provided below and on ABRI s GUIDELINES FOR STORINGAND HANDLING used BATTERIESMost commonly used batteries are classified as ahazardous waste and/or a dangerous good at the end oftheir life. They must be managed carefully to avoid anyenvironmental damage and to protect the health andsafety of your workers and the general basic guidance is provided below. Most used batteries still hold a residual charge whenthey reach the end of their life. They should bedecommissioned and removed by licensed not cut cables without taking adequateprecautions.

3 Always assume the batteries in situ carrya lethal charge. To avoid the potential for electric shock or shortcircuit, do not place metal objects on top of batteriesand insulate terminals to prevent short circuit. Check for damaged or leaking batteries. These needto be wrapped and handled with extra care. Seekadvice from the manufacturer or collector/recycler. Wear protective clothing when handling usedbatteries. Take appropriate action if a spill occursbecause some substances in the batteries may betoxic or corrosive. Identify the label on the battery to determine itschemistry type. If there is no identifying label checkwith the manufacturer or distributor. Different classesof dangerous goods must not be mixed togetherduring STORAGE or transport ( lead acid batteriesare a Class 8 product and lithium-ion are a Class 9).

4 Keep batteries away from potential sparks or them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Organisations that store or handle used batteriesmust undertake due diligence on their environmentaland workplace health and safety obligations. Ensurethat you have appropriate management systems inplace and that staff receive adequate training. used lead acid , nickel cadmium and lithium-ionbatteries must be transported in accordance with theAustralian Dangerous Goods CodeThere is additional information to help you on ABRI swebsite: CHOOSING THE RIGHT RECYCLERAt the end of the batteries life you will need to choose aresponsible company to collect, transport and/or recyclethem. Some of the questions that you need to considerare:1. Does the company have a license to collect, transportand recycle or dispose of the battery , and/or havedevelopment consent for the activity?

5 Most batteriesrequire a license to transport hazardous waste withinAustralia and can only be exported with a permit from theAustralian Does the company have third party accreditationor are they a member of an industry body? ABRI members must comply with a Code of Conduct forresponsible Has the company advised what happens to the batteriesthey collect? Ask them to provide you with a recyclingcertificate that nominates the method and destinationfor Planet Ark's checklist: Choosing the right recyclerfor more information ( ).These guidelines provide an overview of the issues that need to be considered bymanufacturers, distributors, installers, consumers, collectors and recyclers of usedenergy STORAGE batteries. Each of these groups share responsibility for the safe andenvironmentally RESPONSIBLE management of used batteries.

6 MANAGING used LEAD acid BATTERIESI dentifying a lead acid battery :Look for the Pb (lead) symbol with the crossed out wheelie bin .Recyclability: used lead acid batteries (ULAB) arerecyclable and have a commercial value. Close to 100%of the materials can be recycled and there is a well-established infrastructure for collection and a RESPONSIBLE recycler: ULAB are recycled withinAustralia or exported for RECYCLING Legal requirements:ULAB are a controlled waste STORAGE licence and a waste transport licenceare required in most jurisdictions. Interstate transportof batteries must be tracked, and some jurisdictionsrequire intrastate tracking as well. Batteries must betransported in accordance with the AustralianDangerous Goods Code (ADG). The export of ULAB requires a permit from the Australian Government.

7 See Health and safety:Follow manufacturers guidelinesfor safe handling and STORAGE . ABRI has published aseries of information sheets at Packaging:ABRI has published a voluntary packagingstandard at used LITHIUM ION (LI-ION) BATTERIESI dentifying a lithium-ion battery :ManyLi-ion batteries look similar to lead acid batteries,and they are not always labelled with a chemistrysymbol. Some may have the above are many different types of Li-ion battery . Someof the most common are Lithium nickel manganesecobalt oxide (also known as NMC), Lithium ironphosphate (also known as Li-ferrous, LFP or LiFePO4), Lithium manganese oxide (also known as Li manganese, LMO or Spinel), and Lithium are many other Li-ion chemistries underdevelopment as :Most Li-ion batteries are recyclable,although RECYCLING technologies are still beingdeveloped.

8 RECYCLING efficiency varies depending on theprocesses used . In additional to metals recovery, someof the materials may be sold for road construction orfertiliser. Li-ion batteries are being collected inAustralia and exported for a recycler:Companies that have an export permitor are applying for a permit to export Li-ion batteriesare listed at Legal requirements:Li-ion batteries are classifiedas a dangerous good (Class 9). Batteries must bepackaged and transported in accordance with theAustralian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG). The export of Li-ion batteries requires a permit from theAustralian Government. Health and safety:Follow manufacturers guidelinesfor safe handling and :The Australian Dangerous Goods Code(version ) includes special provisions and packaginginstructions for used and damaged Li-ion 2: Solar STORAGE batteries (photo GNB Industrial Power)Figure 1: Lead acid batteries are classified as a Class 8 Dangerous GoodFigure 2: Li-ion batteries areclassified as a Class 9 Dangerous GoodABRIV alue Over used NICKEL CADMIUMBATTERIESI dentifying a NiCd battery :Look for one of the following : used Ni-Cd batteries are recyclable,with a diversion rate from landfill of over 95%.

9 Find a RESPONSIBLE recycler: used wet cell (vented) Ni-Cd batteries are either recycled within Australiaor exported for RECYCLING overseas. See Legal requirements: Ni-Cd batteries are a controlledwaste. A waste STORAGE licence and a waste transportlicence are required in most jurisdictions. Interstatetransport must be tracked, and some jurisdictionsrequire intrastate tracking as well. Batteries mustbe packaged and transported in accordance withthe Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG). Theexport of used batteries requires a permit from theAustralian Government. Health and safety:Follow manufacturers guidelines for safe handling and OTHER battery TYPESO ther ENERGY STORAGE batteries include: Flow batteries (zinc bromine or vanadium redox) Sodium-ion batteries Aqueous hybrid are new technologies so there may not be anestablished RECYCLING a recycler:Consult with your supplier or requirements:Consult with your state EPA tounderstand any waste licencing requirements.

10 Anexport permit is required for all relevant government agencies for more information on legal and environmental requirementsfor hazardous or controlled wastesNSWE nvironment Protection Authority Protection Authority Environment & Heritage Environment, Climate Change, ENERGY & Primary Industries, Parks, Water & AustraliaDept. of Environmental AustraliaEnvironment Protection Authority South AustraliaNorthern TerritoryEnvironment Protection GovernmentDept. 3: Nickel cadmium batteries (photo MRI)Figure 3: Nickel cadmium batteries areclassified as a Class 8 Dangerous GoodOctober 2015 Australian battery RECYCLING InitiativeThe Australian BatteryRecycling Initiative (ABRI) is a not-for-profit association establishedin 2008 to promote RESPONSIBLE environmental management ofbatteries at end of life.