Dynamic modelling of a collection scheme of waste portable batteries for ecological and economic sustainability

Much study in recent years has focused on hazardous waste management, where one of the hazardous waste streams includes portable waste batteries. The main aim of the research is to explore both the short and long term effects of a collection scheme of portable waste batteries on the environment. To this end, a system dynamics model has been built to examine how the physical processes and information flows interrelate in the structure of a dynamic system, and how this structure generates dynamic behaviour over time. A collection scheme in operation in Belgium was used as the case study. The model developed sheds light on the structure of the system and shows that important feedback is missing compared to other types of battery collection models. Firstly, the model showed that the level of the levy on the price is not linked to the achieved collection goal. Secondly, the other missing feedback is between effectiveness of the information campaign and the costs related to these awareness-increasing activities. The model developed could be an important aid for policy makers in assessing the efficacy of policy tools.