The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) recently introduced the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. This was done to enhance the eco-friendly management of waste batteries. The rules will take the place of the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001.
Significant Elements of the New Rules
These rules apply to all sorts of batteries, including Electric Vehicle batteries, portable batteries, automotive batteries, and industrial batteries. The rules also operate based on the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), in which battery producers bear the responsibility for the collection and recycling/refurbishment of waste batteries. This includes the use of recovered materials from waste in making new batteries.
EPR Now Mandates All Waste Batteries Collection
The EPR system now mandates that all waste batteries should be collected for recycling or refurbishment, with a prohibition on landfill disposal and incineration. Producers can either carry out this collection themselves or designate another entity to do so.
A Centralized System and Online Portal for EPR Certifications
A centralized mechanism and online portal will be established to facilitate the exchange of EPR certificates between producers and recyclers/refurbishers, thereby helping producers meet their obligations.
Promotion of Waste Management
The rules encourage the establishment of new industries and entrepreneurship for the collection and recycling/refurbishment of waste batteries.
New Business Opportunities Created
The new regulation mandates a minimum recovery percentage of materials from waste batteries. This will lead to the development of new technologies and the influx of investments in the recycling and refurbishment industry. It will also generate new business opportunities.
Reducing Dependency on Fresh Raw Materials
Prescribing the use of a certain amount of recycled materials in the production of new batteries will lessen the need for new raw materials, thus conserving natural resources.
The Benefit of Online Registration
Online registration and reporting, auditing, and a dedicated committee to monitor rule implementation and remove difficulties have been introduced.
Principle of Polluter Pays
According to these rules, if the Extended Producer Responsibility targets, responsibilities, and obligations are not fulfilled, environmental compensation will be imposed.
Environmental Compensation Fund
The funds collected under environmental compensation will be used for the collection, refurbishing, or recycling of waste batteries that have not been collected or recycled.
Exploration of UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Questions
One question from the 2009 prelims asked about electrolytes used in a dry cell battery. The correct answer was Ammonium chloride and Zinc chloride which are components of the most common dry cell, the Leclanche cell. In a 2016 mains question, the issue of disposing solid waste and safely removing toxic wastes was discussed.
