ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF BATTERIES

Non rechargeable and rechargeable batteries generate voltage by chemical reaction. These reaction require various elements, also those harmful or hazardous to humans and the environment.
The manufacturing process of batteries features a number of chemicals intended for the safety and functional performance. These substances may have negative impact on the environment. The substances most often used (depending on the battery type) include, among others, manganese dioxide, iron, zinc, graphite, ammonium chloride, copper, potassium hydroxide, mercury, nickel, lithium, cadmium, silver, cobalt, glass, silica, paper, plastic sheet and free hydrogen. The heavy metals used in batteries, e.g. lead, cadmium or mercury are health hazards, while the acids or alkalis in the electrolyte solutions are corrosive and aggressive.
This requires a proper process for disposal of waste batteries to minimise the risk of releasing environmentally hazardous substances. This demands selective waste collection for safe neutralisation and recycling.

ACUMAX®: THE GREEN PRODUCT

The manufacturer of the ACUMAX® batteries applies the highest quality standards and state-of-the-art technologies with the focus on environmental protection. The experienced personnel, automated processes and relevant environmental impact mitigating procedures result in certified compliance of the ACUMAX® battery production with the ISO 14001. The implemented EMS (Environmental Management System) standard proves the continuous effort for reduction of harmful agents in the battery manufacturing process. The research into production improvement and response to changing market demands assure the high quality and performance of our batteries, along with long and reliable operation of the equipment they power.

CURRENT LEGAL REALITY

Since April of 2009 the Polish Act on batteries has been in force which implements the Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. Its main objective is to minimise the harmful environmental impact of batteries and waste thereof with the intent of environmental protection and long-term betterment. The Act implements new regulations and requirements for marketing batteries and similar power sources to streamline the related market operations domestically and in trade between the EU member states.
The Act introduces a number of legal regulations concerning proper handling of waste batteries. The current regulations of law impose strict requirements for the collection and recycling of waste batteries, as well as for efficient pro-environmental activities by manufacturers who market batteries and battery distributors, end users, and especially all corporate entities directly involved in processing and recycling of battery wastes. The new Act requires greater liability of the battery marketing entities by forcing them to suitably contract corporate entities which collect waste batteries or manage waste battery disposal facilities. The battery marketing entities must also organise a separate waste collection system, since batteries are small-sized waste on a high level of dispersion. Every end user is required to hand over waste batteries to a waste battery collector without any extra cost. The businesses are also required to reach the regulatory collection levels set for waste batteries, including portable units. The waste battery processing facilities which recycle the processing waste are required to reach regulatory-defined performance levels of their processes.
The Act regulations apply to all battery types manufactured and marketed, irrespective of their size, capacity, weight, composition, manufacturing process, or application; this also concerns all batteries integrated in devices or added to other products. The regulations also apply to all waste generated from batteries, and precisely define the terms of collection, processing and disposal of these waste types. The current legal regulations do not apply to the batteries applied in the equipment designed for the protection of essential security interests of the EU member states, weapons, ammunition or defence articles – with the exception of products not specifically designed for military use – or space-borne equipment.

The Act categorises batteries in two groups: portable batteries and industrial batteries. According to the regulatory definition, all batteries applied in emergency or backup power supply systems are industrial batteries. The industrial battery group includes batteries intended for service with renewable energy powered devices (e.g. photovoltaic cells, wind turbines, etc.) and electrical vehicles (electric cars, wheelchairs, cleaning machines, etc.).
The regulations require that all batteries must be marked with the selective collection pictogram (see fig. below), whereas lead-acid batteries and cells (as well as all other battery devices with over 0.004% of lead by weight) must also feature the chemical symbol of the element, Pb:

Pb