An evaluation of recycling schemes for waste dry batteries - a simulation approach

Shorter product life cycles are causing increase in the volume of electrical and electronic equipment waste and batteries are an important functional component of these. There are still batteries in use today which contain mercury, lead and nickel. These heavy metals are toxic and harmful to both the environment and human and have to be disposed of by proper processes. In Taiwan, waste dry battery recycling is managed by the Recycling Fund Management Board. Producers only have to pay advance disposal fees (ADFs). Many countries have adopted the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which requires the product manufacturer to assume responsibility for recycling and final disposal in compliance with the related laws. In this study the effects of three different recycling schemes under different recycling situations is investigated by simulation. System output data is collected under different recycling situations, and the cost effectiveness is determined and analyzed. The investigations showed the Producer Responsibility Organizations combined with a deposit system revealed the most cost effectiveness. This would seem to be a better scheme in terms of cost effectiveness for implementing in Taiwan.