Recycling of Used U. Country Project Model. International Lead Management Center

Transcription

1 ULAB s and BAPU s Recycling of Used U Lead Acid Batteries in n Central America and the Caribbean Country Project Model International Lead Management Center The Environmentally Sound Management of Used Lead Acid Batteries Central America, Venezuela, Colombia and the Caribbean Island States Template for a Country Project Model for the ESM of ULAB National Association for the Responsible Handling of Lead Monterrey August 2004 Brian Wilson

2 1. Inventory ULAB & Recyclers 2. Public education/awareness 3. Policy development Regulations/instruments 4. Consolidation of informals informals 5. Collection & storage 6. Transport & shipping 7. Recycling There are essentially seven steps to the Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB). Following these seven steps and will enable you to achieve ESM for ULAB in your country and subsequently in the region. The first stage is to complete an inventory of the likely sources of ULAB, with particular attention to the quantities, collection mechanisms, collection rates and possible trends in ULAB for the next five years. The inventory should also include a list of licensed secondary lead plants, complete with a summary of smelting capacity, environmental control systems and occupational welfare provisions. If possible, unlicensed reconditioners, illegal smelters and legitimate battery retailers should also be noted together with summaries of their operations, noting any environmental threats. The most effective means of obtaining all this information and data is by using the questionnaires attached to these notes. Most of the country participants completed the questionnaires in Phase 1 of the project and are ready to move on the next sections and it is the consideration of the remaining six steps that will form the basis of the work required in Phase 2. ULAB collection schemes will only be effective if the public is aware of them and the benefits of recycling together with an appreciation of the dangers of allowing ULAB to be dumped into the environment or recycled by unlicensed operators. Public education and awareness can be raised in any number of different ways, but the key is to ensure that you reach the target audience and those most likely to be at risk if ESM of ULAB is not achieved. The words licensed and unlicensed has been used many times already and it only emphasises the need for regulation and enforcement of environmental and occupational health standards. Current regulations and instruments need to be critically reviewed and strengthened where necessary. A persistent threat to the environment and the population identified in Phase 1 are the recovery operations of many unlicensed battery reconditioners and smelters in St. Lucia, Trinidad, Panama and Colombia. These operations consistently flout environmental regulations, but are notoriously difficult to close down and will demand the utmost ingenuity to change their ways. The SBC has published a set of excellent Guidelines that will help you to prepare procedures for collection, storage, transport and shipping of ULAB. For those countries without smelting capacity your model will end at step number 6, but for those countries with smelters you will need to proceed to the final stage and consider the environmental performance of your recyclers. Again the SBC ULAB technical Guidelines will be of great assistance.

3 1. Inventory ULAB & Recyclers ULAB sources Formal sector Informal sector Phase 1 for most countries 1. Inventory ULAB and Recyclers ULAB Sources Automotive domestic and imported Retailers, cars spares shops and repair shops Rural households back-up power supply for TV and lighting IT systems Uninterrupted Power Supply Systems (UPS) Burglar alarm system Telephone exchanges Formal sector In addition to what is required in the questionnaires ascertain what the relationship is with the informal sector Informal sector Try to ascertain the possibility of persuading those active in the informal sector to cease illegal operations and concentrate on providing legitimate battery servicing.

4 2. Public education/awareness Poster campaigns Retail outlets Garages Nursery groups Schools 2. Public Education and Awareness Poster Campaigns One of the most cost effective ways of raising the levels of public awareness is through Poster campaigns, albeit the posters must be placed in places where the targets groups will see them, read them and remember them. Suggested locations might be: Battery retail outlets Garages and repair shops Children s nursery groups Schools

5 3. Policy development Regulations/instruments Existing regulations New regulations Current incentives New incentives Support for Formals Informal sector Consolidate 3. Policy Development Regulations and Instruments It is important to examine the existing national and international regulations as well as any statutory instruments applicable to the ESM of ULAB. Ask the question, Does the existing legislation promote ULAB recycling in an environmentally sound manner? If not, is new legislation required? Would economic instruments be more effective? Are there any incentives to encourage recycling? Do they work? Are more incentives needed? Does the current environmental legislation support the Formal Sector? Are the existing laws enforced? What needs to be done to eliminate the environmentally unsound practices of the informal sector? How can their efforts be consolidated into an operation that is supportive of the formal sector?

6 4. Consolidation of informals informals Terminate illegal smelting Stop ULAB reconditioning Encourage legal activity ULAB collection Battery testing Battery recharging Battery servicing 4. Consolidation of Informals In many instances there are choices to be made, but the environmentally unfriendly activities of the illegal smelters must be terminated and battery reconditioning has to be stopped. However, in some countries there are many people employed in the informal sector and you have a social responsibility as well as a duty to protect the environment. It is suggested that ways are found to encourage the informal sector to become involved in legal activities whereby the ULAB they collect would be sent to a licensed recycler for recovery on a toll basis. Furthermore, the informal sector should be encouraged and trained where necessary to provide battery testing, recharging and servicing as a means to maintain an income.

7 ULAB Collection Model 1. Retail exchange/discount 2. Deposit / Refund Scheme 3. Suitable ULAB storage bins 4. Collection network 5. Public awareness 6. Special collection vehicles 7. Trained drivers 5. Collecting ULAB There are many ways that ULAB are collected. By far the most efficient is through the battery retailer where a discount is given against the purchase price of a new battery provided the customer returns the used battery. In some countries a deposit has to be paid when a new battery is purchased and is only returned to the customer when the battery is returned to the retailer for recycling. ULAB must be stored in suitable containers or bins to minimise the risk of damage prior to removal to the smelter. Ideally the bins or containers will fit easily into the collection vehicle and reduce handling risks. Companies and municipalities should consider either extending or establishing collection networks to raise recovery rates and recycle a valuable resource. In this context a public awareness program should be considered in order to publicize any new facilities and maximise patronage. As demonstrated above, specialized vehicles make collection of ULAB more efficient, safer and less likely to cause damage to the battery casing. It is also important to train the drivers of the ULAB collection vehicles in emergency procedures in the event of an accident where there is spillage of battery electrolyte.

8 Power Gem BATTEAS Baterías de El Salv Ministerio de Collecting ULAB

9 ULAB Storage Model 1. Acid resistant concrete 2. Drainage to a sump 3. Secure site 4. Safe handling procedures 5. Emergency shower 6. Inspection of every ULAB 7. Testing of every ULAB 8. Proper packaging 5. Storage of ULAB The base of the storage area must be acid resistant concrete or some other suitable flooring. If the store is under cover then an exhaust ventilation system must be installed, or simply a fast air renovation scheme, in order to avoid hazardous gas accumulation ventilation. The storage area must have drainage channels that run into a collection sump. ULAB must be stored in a secure compound with restricted access and away from children and animals. Safety procedures must be observed and employees should be wearing goggles, neoprene gloves, neoprene boots and respirators should be available if necessary. First aid kits should be available and it is essential to install an emergency shower for use when acid is accidentally sprayed onto the skin or in the eyes. Every single ULAB should be inspected for leaks, cracks in the battery casing and missing vent caps. Leaking batteries, i.e. those spilling electrolyte, must be stored inside acid-resistant containers. Electronic testing is advised to determine whether the battery could be recharged and reused. This practice is a legitimate and worthwhile activity because firstly it ensures that any batteries still charged are identified and thereby reduces the risk of sparking during transit; and secondly it returns some batteries to the market without the need for recycling while earning the collector additional income. Finally the ULAB should be packaged in preparation for transport or shipping to the smelter.

10 Power Gem Heavy Duty Power Gem Power Gem Power Gem Power Tough Gem and Rough Power Gem Power Gem Power Gem Power Gem Power Gem AutoPower Truck Battery The Name to Trust Heavy Duty Truck Battery AutoPower The Name to Trust AutoPower The Name to Trust Heavy Duty Heavy Duty Truck Battery Truck Battery Heavy Duty Truck Battery AutoPower The Tough Name and Tough to Rough Trust and Rough Heavy Duty AutoPower Truck Battery The Name to Tough Trust and Rough Heavy Duty Truck Battery Heavy Duty Truck Battery Heavy Duty AutoPower Truck Battery The Name Tough to Trust and Rough AutoPower Heavy Duty The Name to Tough Trust and Truck Rough Battery AutoPower The Name to Trust AutoPower The Name to Trust AutoPower The Name to Trust Ensure the workplace is safe and secure. Employees must wear PPE

11 ULAB Storage C A R I Examination Leaks Cracks Caps Ministerio de ULAB Storage volts Test every ULAB

12 Packaging 5. Packaging of ULAB Prior to packing it is important to ensure that all the ULAB have the vent caps shut to avoid spillage during shipping. If possible replace a missing vent cap or seal the inspection hole. Obtain a selection of caps from your nearest smelter and always have them readily available. From a practical point of view damaged batteries can be transported with intact batteries if they are properly contained in sealed plastic containers or drums. ULAB should be stacked onto wooden pallets or skids no more than four high to minimize the risk that the stack will become unstable. A sheet of corrugated heavy duty cardboard is placed between each layer of batteries to reduce movement, absorb any electrolyte that might spill and prevent the terminal posts from the batteries puncturing the plastic case of the battery stored above. A sheet of corrugated heavy duty cardboard is also placed on top of the final layer of ULAB so that the palletised ULAB can be stored on top of each other. Finally the whole stack is shrink wrapped in plastic as tight as possible to minimize any movement during transit. When storing palletised ULAB prior to transportation or shipment the layers of pallets should not be stacked more than two high.

13 6. Transport and Shipping Hazardous waste Precautionary principle Prior informed consent Transboundary - Basel Containers leak proof Hazard warning labels Safety equipment Specify route ESM Model for the ESM of ULAB 6. Transport and Shipping ULAB must be considered as hazardous waste when making arrangements to transport them to the recycler. Once again the main risk is associated with the battery electrolyte which may leak from ULAB in transit. Observe the Precautionary Principle which is based on Prior Informed Consent (PIC). For any transboundary movement of ULAB in the region the Basel Convention requires PIC and proper documentation is required for the movement of ULAB. Such procedures may not be necessary for domestic movements, but for the safety reasons the PIC principle should be considered as an administrative necessity. It is vital to package the ULAB in a manner that renders batteries easy to move mechanically while reducing the risk of any movement during transit to avoid damaging the battery cases. As a further precaution the guidelines recommend that the ULAB are transported in a sealed shock resistant container that will not leak any electrolyte in the event of unforeseen leakage. The vehicle used to transport the ULAB, whether it is a ship a truck or a van, must be correctly identified, following international conventions and local legislation using the appropriate symbols and colors to identify the fact that corrosive and hazardous waste is being transported. Each vehicle should have a set of equipment necessary to combat any simple spillage or leakage problems and there should be personal protective equipment available to wear. The appropriate authorities and emergency services should be notified of the transport route and wherever possible a route should be chosen that minimize the risk of possible accidents, avoids populated areas or other specific problems.

14 7. Recycling Choose licensed recyclers Responsibility is YOURS Best Practice includes Segregated work areas Process and non process Medical surveillance Waste water treatment Emission controls Outreach program 7. Recycling As most of the smelters in the region use Rotary Furnace technology, choosing where to send ULAB for recycling is not about finding out which process is more environmentally friendly. Nevertheless, the responsibility for sending ULAB for recycling is the person or municipal council transporting or shipping the ULAB from the collection center to the smelter. The criteria for selecting a smelter should be based on Best Practice including: Segregated work areas, so that process areas do not contaminate non process or eating areas Medical surveillance for all operating personnel exposed to the lead operations. Waste water treatment facilities Emission control procedures. A community outreach program whereby the plant personnel are active in local events and keep the surrounding population aware of the secondary lead operations through good communications.