ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT OF BATTERIES AND

ACCUMULATORS - CURRENT STATUS IN EUROPE AND

GREEK EXPERIENCES

Th. Lolos, G. Lolos, C Tsombanidis, Pashali – Manou Κ., G. Tavoularis

Εnviroplan S.A., 40 Ag. Konstantinou Str 15124 Marousi, Greece, http://

www.enviroplan.gr

KEYWORDS: batteries, accumulators, alternative management, waste.

SUMMARY

The management of spent batteries and accumulators containing mercury, lead and

cadmium, constitutes a serious environmental problem, because of high toxicity of

these metals rendering emission to the environment extremely dangerous. The scope

of the present paper is to provide an overview of the current status in Greece

regarding the alternative management of batteries and accumulators as well as the

prevailing trends in Europe, in order to make possible the elaboration of improvement

proposals.

1. INTRODUCTION

Batteries and accumulators constitute an important energy source covering a wide

range of products and devices used by consumers and professionals.

The management of spent batteries and accumulators containing heavy metals, such

as mercury, lead and cadmium, constitutes a major environmental problem,

considering that emission of these metals is particularly dangerous because of the high

toxicity. It is estimated that the global demand for batteries and accumulators will

increase up to 5% in the following years because of the development of new

electronic devices.

The main policy of solid waste management including the electric cells and

accumulators has been formulated by the European Acquis, where the basic principles

of solid waste management have been set. These principles focus in waste prevention,

promotion of waste re-use and recycling and in other forms of waste exploitation

(recovery of materials and energy) and overall to waste reduction and

environmentally sound waste disposal.

This paper presents the European and national legal framework for the management

of electric cells and accumulators. Data is presented concerning the types and

quantities of batteries in Greece and a prediction of future demand is made based on

current tendencies in the international market. A review of environmental acquis for

spent batteries alternative management in Europe as well as programs undertaken in

Greece, are also presented.

The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art alternative

management in Greece and the prevailing trends in Europe, in order to make possible

the elaboration of improvement proposals.

2. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

2.1. Community Legal Framework

Current Community legislation covering batteries and accumulators containing

dangerous substances is Council Directive 91/157/EEC, amended by the following

directives:

- Council Directive 93/86/EEC and

- Council Directive 98/101/ EEC

This Directive applies only to batteries and accumulators containing more than

0,0005% mercury by weight, more than 0,025% cadmium by weight and more than

0,4% lead by weight. It predicts recycling and controlled disposal by:

- Prohibiting the trading of batteries and accumulators containing more than

0.0005% mercury from 1 January 2000 onwards

- Requiring Member States to ensure the separate collection of batteries and

accumulators

- Requiring Member States to draw up four-yearly programmes designed, among

others, to reduce the heavy metal content of batteries and gradually reduce their

share in the municipal solid waste stream.

This Directive was supplemented by Commission Directive 93/86/EEC, laying down

marking requirements for batteries and accumulators covered by Directive

91/157/EEC, indicating separate collection as well as heavy metal content.

Directive 91/157/EEC does not prescribe exact instruments preventing the

uncontrolled disposal into the environment. As a result there are different approaches

and the overall collection efficiency of spent batteries in the Community is low. Thus,

many batteries and accumulators still are landfilled or incinerated, instead of being

collected and recycled.

For this reason and after six years of investigation, a new directive proposal

(COM(2003) 723 final – 2003/0282 (COD)), was adopted on 21 November 2003

from the Committee of European Communities and was submitted to the European

Parliament. The proposal was based on the conclusions of the study “Impact

Assessment on Selected Policy Options for Revision of the Battery Directive”, Bio

Intelligence. Then, the European Parliament, presented an improved version of the

proposal of the directive, that came up to large protests from industry, mainly because

of the restriction of heavy metals in the electric cells and accumulators, as well as the

high collection targets compared to the original directive proposal.

2.2. Greek Legal Framework

Law No. 2939/2001 “Packaging and alternative management of packaging and other

products. Establishment of the National Organization for the Alternative Management

of Packaging and Other Products (NOAMPOP)” came to force in 6/8/01 and

harmonises the Greek Legislation in accordance with the provisions of the Directive

94/62/EC on Packaging, as well as other Directives that concern certain materials.

The relevant administrators establish systems for the alternative management of

electric cells and accumulators. The specific terms and conditions as well as all

necessary detail on the alternative management were determined with the 115/04

Presidential Decree "Meters, Terms and Program on the alternative management of

spent batteries and accumulators".

The Presidential Decree (P.D.) replaces the previous (1995) Law on “Management of

batteries and accumulators containing certain dangerous substances”. P.D. 115/04

concerns all electric cells and accumulators in the market and describes the

obligations of the parties involved in the trading, programs of alternative

management, terms-conditions for the alternative management and also quantitative

objectives.

The alternative management is based on the following principles:

a) Prevention of waste disposal originating from packaging and other materials and

volume reduction of waste and their dangerous components.

b) Principle of "polluter pays".

c) Principle of responsibility of all public and private parties involved.

d) Principle of publicity, where users and consumers are informed about the measures

that are taken for the implementation of this Law, so that they understand their role in

waste re-use or recovery (alternative management). The guaranty fee, where

applicable, must be obligatory shown in the packaging, and at the same time special

labeling that packaging follows alternative management is also included.

In the term "Alternative management" all collection works - including guaranty fee,

transfer, transshipment, temporary storage, recovery of spent batteries and

accumulators, and re-enter into the market are included.

According to the 115/04 P.D., it is prohibited to:

• Trade electric cells and accumulators containing mercury more than 0,0005% by

weight, including those incorporated in devices. Particularly for "button" type cells,

mercury content should not exceed the 2% by weight.

• Trade Ni-Cd accumulators for electric vehicles from 31-12-2005 onwards. After this

date trading is allowed only for spare parts

• Trade of electric cells and accumulators that are placed in such a way, that the

removal from the device by the consumer is difficult. Certain categories of devices are

excluded from this prohibition.

• Collection, temporary storage, transfer and disposal of spent batteries together with

municipal waste.

i. Regarding the collection of spent batteries and accumulators:

- By 31/12/2006 at least 30% of all spent batteries by weight should be

collected, especially for those containing more than 5 ppm Hg.

- By 31/12//2006 at least 70% by weight of all spent accumulators from industry

and vehicles should be collected, especially for the accumulators that contain

cadmium.

ii. For the exploitation of spent batteries and accumulators, the followings apply:

- By 31/12/2006 at least 80% by weight of the collected batteries should be

recycled

- By 31/12/2006 at least 95% by weight of collected accumulators should be

recycled.

3. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF

ELECTRIC CELLS AND ACCUMULATORS IN GREECE

3.1. Types of electric cells and accumulators

Electric cells and accumulators are distinguished according to users, materials and

certain attributes, i.e. recharge or size. The Greek market is divided in two basic

groups: (1) "portable" group, with weight less than 1 kg and (2) accumulators for

industry and cars, which usually weight more than1 kg.

Mainly, three different types of portable batteries exist:

(a) electric cells for general use, which can not be recharged (mainly electric cells of

zinc-coal and alkali-manganese).

(b) button - cells (zinc - air, oxide, oxide of manganese and lithium), which can not be

recharged and are suitable for specific appliances such as hearing aids, clocks and

small portable equipment.

(c) Rechargeable cells (mainly nickel-cadmium, hydride nickel metal, lithium ions

and waterproof cells of lead acid). These are suitable for wireless and digital

telephones, electric tools, emergency lighting systems, laptop and household devices.

Car accumulators are mainly of lead-acid type and are used for car start, lighting and

ignition systems. Apart from the purchase of original equipment with new cars, cells

can be sold independently in the after-sales market (gas stations and cars services

stations).

Industry accumulators (lead – acid and nickel – cadmium) are used for purposes such

as backup electricity generator unit, in telecommunications and in railways.

3.2 Quantitative characteristics of electric cells and accumulators

In order to estimate the quantities of electric cells and accumulators in the market,

data from various sources were collected. In particular, the Greek National Statistical

Organization does not provide production data in Greece, since there exist only one

plant (Germanos Ltd), situated in Xanthi. The company produces and exports

cylindrical, simple and alkaline batteries, under the commercial brand name Sunlight.

However, it represents only a small portion of market, since most of the batteries are

imported from European countries.

Sales data of portable cells were also collected from a private consulting office,

however it does not include all types. Consequently, both sources must be evaluated,

in order to estimate the quantities of spent portable batteries and accumulators,

especially those that contain dangerous elements, i.e. NiCd, HgO and Pb-acid types.

Table 1 presents the estimated quantities of portable spent electric cells and

accumulators.

Table 1. Estimated Quantities of Batteries Placed in Market

Battery Type Traded

(Kg)

Percentage

(%)

NiCd 173.200 7,0%

Hg-button cells 1.400 0,1%

Small Pb – acid 123.714 5,0%

Others 2.175.971 87,9%

Total 2.474.285 100,0%

Fig. 1. Types of batteries and accumulators placed in market

Consumption of lead accumulators for the year 2000, amounts to about 40.000 t, from

which 55% or 22.000 t was recycled.

The prevailing trend in the market is the steadily increasing demand of alkaline

towards simple batteries, representing the 52% of the total demand and simple

batteries the remaining 48%. Consumers prefer simple batteries for uses that do not

require particularly high levels of energy and for their low price. Another prevailing

trend is production of batteries of smaller size and weight.

It is estimated that 50%-60% of the batteries in 2001 was purchased from super

markets and the rest 40%-50% from battery shops, photographic and tourist shops,

kiosks, etc. It is believed, that the following years the super markets’ share will

increase, nevertheless still less than the share in other countries (up to 80%).

4. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL ACQUIS

The implementation of the Directive differs a lot among the Members-States, because

the Directive itself permits a lot of different implementation approaches. Labeling of

batteries containing mercury, cadmium and lead was applied unanimously allover

Europe, satisfying the battery industry for a unified European Market. However,

collection methods differ among the Member-States:

a) Scandinavian countries and UK implemented the initial objective of the Directive,

which focus on mercury, cadmium and lead. For instance, Sweden and Denmark

imposed high taxes on such battery types in order to finance collection and

Types of batteries and Accumulators Placed on Market

7,0%

0,1%

5,0%

87,9%

NiCdHgSmall Pb-acidOthers

recycling. Alkaline and zinc – coal batteries are not recycled, as they do not

constitute an environmental threat.

b) The rest of the Members-States implemented a Legislation that overlaps the

European Directive, requiring collection of all batteries. It is of particular interest

the range of different meters and obligations established by each Member-State:

- Countries like Austria, France, Germany and Holland developed programs

where collection responsibilities are shared among the retail shops, the

Municipalities and the batteries producers/importers. In Belgium, the

Government established an economic body (eco-tax), transmitting all

obligations of the collection program to the producers and importers.

- Only Belgium and Holland established obligatory collection objectives (75%

and 90% respectively).

Those differences have inevitable consequences in the operation costs of the

collection programs.

In the following Table, the main characteristics of collection programs in various

European countries is presented.

5. ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMS IN

GREECE

Manufactures, importers and distributors of portable batteries as well as Local

Authorities in Greece, have established the “Collective System for Alternative

Management of Portable Batteries and Accumulators’’, in order to comply with the

requirements of National Legislation. This system cooperates with “Collective system

for alternative management of Waste electric and electronic equipment”. The two

alternative management systems for the following years will focus on:

Portable Electric Cells and Accumulators

All portable types of electric cells and accumulators is covered, particularly focusing

on batteries containing Ni - Cd, Hg, Pb – acid. In the year 2006, according to the

system objectives, 122 tons of portable cells - accumulators containing nickel –

cadmium as well as mercury, 37 tons of accumulators containing lead – acid and 653

tons of alkaline batteries will be collected.

Legislation Collection Economic instruments

All types Directive NiCd

Ordinance 514/1990, 495/1999 Charging for all batteries according to the weight (Hidden cost)

Royal Order F96-695, 7/3/96. RD F96-989 16/4/96. RD. 17/3/97

X

Charging 5BF (0,12€/τpiece) for all batteries and packs (Visible cost)

Executive decree 13/12/93, “Green Duties” 179/95, 181/95, 1/4/96

Levy for NiCd batteries: 6DKK/battery36DKK/pack (or 6DKK/element) ( or Visible cost)

Government Decision 105/95, 17/99

X X

Decree 99-374, 12/5/99, 99-1171, 29/12/99

X Charging for all batteries by weight and type

Decree 99-374, 12/5/99, 99-1171, 29/12/99

X Charging for all batteries by weight and type

Decree about batteries 27/3/98 X Charging for all batteries by weight and type(≃1,0 till 1,5€ / Kg)

Decision 73537/1438, 28/8/95 & 8/00

X X

Decree 262, 1994 X X

Decree 476, 20/11/97 X

Regulations 23/5/95, 4/5/93, 13/5/94

X X Charging is included in Municipal duties

Decree 1993, Decree 45, 31/1/95 X Charging for all batteries according the weight and type

Regulations on hazardous batteries 17/7/90, amendments: 5/5/94, 7/2/95, 30/6/97, 1/7/00

Charging for all secondary: 12ΝΟΚ/KgCharging for all primary: 0,6 ΝΟΚ/Kg

R.D. 451/1996, 19/1/96

Decree 1997:645 19/6/97, 1/10/99 Levy for NiCd 300SEK /Kg Levy for Ag, A-M 500SEK/Kg

Battord 1998 Charging for all batteries according the weight and type (Visible, 3,3 € / Kg)

Decree 232, 2/2/94

Directives 91/157, 93/86, 98/101

Austria

Belgium

Denmark

France

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Ireland

Italy

Luxemburg

Holland

Norway

Portugal

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

UK

EEC X

X

X

X

X

X

X X

X

X

Decree 30/11/00

X

X X

Country

The collected quantities of portable accumulators containing nickel–cadmium as well as

mercury will be exported to recycling plants, whereas those containing lead - acid will be will

be transferred to recycling plants in Greece. The remaining portion (alkaline, etc) will be

transferred to steelworks for recycling and the recycling remains to sanitary landfill sites.

Accumulators containing lead-acid, nickel cadmium

In year 2006, according to the system’s objectives, 31.000 tons of spent lead - acid

accumulators will be collected, representing 75% of the spent lead acid accumulators. In the

same year, 14,25 tons of spent nickel – cadmium accumulators will be collected which

represent 75% of the spent nickel– cadmium accumulators.

Lead accumulators will be transferred to recycling plants for initial sorting of the materials

(lead, plastic) and then thermal treatment of lead. Nickel – cadmium accumulators will be

exported to recycling plants.

At the same time, the research program “Development of an integrated alternative system for

the environmental compatible management of spent batteries and accumulators (DIASBAT)“,

is under progress and run by the company Germanos S.A. Objectives of the program are

public’s familiarization, collection and sorting of batteries and finally recycling in a sound

way. The program was co-financed by the Greek General Secretariat for Research and

Technology.

DIASBAT program runs for two years period (November 2003 - November 2005). Though

the project is in a pilot scale, the results will aid the effective development of the recycling

process of spent batteries in Greece. Available data from GERMANOS shops network from

10/2/2004 until 21/5/2004, indicate that 5,2 tons of spent accumulators were collected.

Further, from 24 schools participating in the program, another 1,5 tons were collected.

REFERENCES 1. Bio Intelligence, (2003), “Impact Assessment on Selected Policy Options for

Revision of the Battery Directive”, European Commission, Directorate General Environment, July 2003.

2. Fricke J.L., Knudsen N., GRS Batterien, (2002) “Disposal of Portable Batteries ”, Hamburg, March 2002.

3. Beaurepaire E., “ Collection and Recycling of used batteries: How to comply with Producer Responsibility?”.

4. Morrow H., “ The OECD Program to promote the collection and recycling of Nickel – Cadmium batteries”.

5. OECD (1997) “ Proceedings of the OECD workshop on the effective collection and recycling of Nickel-Cadmium Batteries”, Lyon, France, 1997.

6. Schamburek C., (1997) “The Austrian way of Battery Recycling and Collection”. 7. ISWA, (2003), “ ISWA Comments to the Proposed Directive on Batteries and

Accumulators and Sp ent Batteries and Accumulators COM (2003) 723 final”, Copenhagen, 12 December 2003.