Setting foot into a new year, the relevance of energy storage systems has soared to a new height as energy-based systems like batteries witnessed a major upheaval with the popularity of electric vehicles.
Addressing the challenges of transitioning smoother with its entry, India has welcomed the entry of Battery based electric vehicles that will support the cause of the Indian government’s ambitious targets.
However, we cannot overlook the fact that this growing sector needs to address the increasingly urgent issue of how to realize its promise of delivering a truly sustainable and circular battery economy.
Simply put, with the rate at which batteries are now getting manufactured in the automotive industry, a new risk of disposing of used-up batteries has reared its head in the developing economy of energy storage.
Forced to acknowledge this looming threat, various countries have started thinking of ways to dispose of as well as recycle the disposed battery waste in their innovative steps.
To further understand the Importance of Battery Recycling in India in depth, let’s delve into some of the basic facts of Battery Recycling and Why is Battery Recycling Relevant in the grand scheme.
Key Facts & Importance of Battery Recycling in India
In simple terms, as the name suggests, Battery recycling is the process of reprocessing used batteries to obtain materials that can be used in the manufacture of new batteries.
In India, battery recycling is generally regulated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Housing several types of batteries utilized in India, ranging from lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and lithium-ion batteries, Lead-acid batteries are the most recycled type. This is due to its wide usage in automobiles and other applications.
Importance of Battery Recycling in India can be measured with the system placed wherein the process is carried out by licensed recyclers who collect used batteries from various sources, such as automobile dealerships, battery manufacturers, and battery importers.
The batteries are then dismantled and the lead and other materials are extracted and processed for reuse.
Importance of Battery Recycling in India can be configured in a variety of ways.
Firstly, it allows the conservation of natural resources, as it reduces the need to extract raw materials from the earth.
Apart from that, it helps to reduce pollution, as the recycling process captures and treats hazardous substances that may be released into the environment if the batteries are not properly disposed of.
Latest Developments in Battery Recycling Sector
Accelerating the Importance of Battery Recycling in India, the environment ministry has declared a new Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, that establishes the responsibilities of producers, dealers, consumers, and entities involved in the collection, segregation, transportation, refurbishment, and recycling of all types of batteries, including rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles.
The rules plan to ensure the safe disposal of hazardous battery wastes and to promote the circular economy through recycling. Thus, emphasizing the Importance of Battery Recycling in India.
According to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) idea, producers, including importers of batteries, would gather and recycle or refurbish discarded batteries, as the ministry has established the new regulations.
Importance of Battery Recycling in India is further solidified with these new rules that will enable the setting up of a mechanism and centralized online portal for the exchange of EPR certificates between producers and recyclers and refurbishers to fulfill the obligations of producers.
Apart from these obligations, these rules also promote the setting up of new industries and entrepreneurship in the collection and recycling of waste batteries, thus, highlighting the Importance of Battery Recycling in India.
On the principle of Polluter Pays Principle, the ministry has announced environmental compensation that will be imposed for the non-fulfillment of Extended Producer Responsibility targets, responsibilities and obligations as mentioned in the rules.
The funds collected under environmental compensation will then be utilized in the collection and refurbishing or recycling of uncollected and non-recycled waste batteries. Hence, focused on the Importance of Battery Recycling in India.
Major Players in Battery Recycling
Emphasizing the Importance of Battery Recycling in India, the list includes,
Attero Recycling
Attero is a leading electronic waste management company in India that has a state-of-the-art recycling facility in Roorkee, Uttarakhand.
Eco Recycling Limited
Eco Recycling is a joint venture between the Hinduja Group and the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. They have a battery recycling plant in Dombivli, Maharashtra.
Kabra Extrusiontechnik
Kabra Extrusiontechnik is a leading manufacturer of plastic extrusion machinery in India. They also operate a battery recycling plant in Silvassa, Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
Star Trace Private Limited
Star Trace is a Chennai-based company that provides a range of services, including battery recycling. They have a recycling facility in Chennai.
Gravita India Limited
Gravita India is a leading manufacturer of lead and lead alloys in India. They also operate a battery recycling plant in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
