Prospects for battery recycling in Latin America – Insta News Hub

Reuse and recycling are core components of a sustainable method to used lithium-ion batteries in Latin America. That is important to preserve worthwhile assets and keep away from climate-damaging greenhouse fuel emissions. The applying of tried-and-proven finest practices right here would probably keep away from the disposal of as much as two million tons of batteries as waste and allow as much as 2.8 million tons to be recycled within the area by 2050.

An estimated 6.6–7.5 million tons of lithium-ion batteries will attain end-of-life in Latin America and the Caribbean between 2024 and 2050. At current, only a few amenities can be found to recycle these batteries in a secure and environmentally appropriate method. Consequently, about 90% of discarded batteries presently find yourself at waste dumps. Moreover, many nations lack an efficient legal framework that clearly regulates obligations for the gathering and remedy of used and end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.

These are a few of the findings of a study, carried out by the Oeko-Institut and MicroEnergy Worldwide on behalf of the Inter-American Improvement Financial institution, which opinions the state of the expertise worldwide and examines practices for the administration of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. It additionally identifies the potential for a round financial system within the area and takes a extra detailed take a look at native dealing with of lithium-ion batteries in 4 case studies on Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile and Mexico.

A authorized framework: A key prerequisite for fulfillment

“The circular economy is simply as vital in Latin America as it’s in Europe,” says Viviana Lopez, an Oeko-Institut researcher who focuses on international provide chains. “In an effort to facilitate sustainable administration of lithium-ion batteries, governments within the area should set up dependable frameworks for funding in battery recycling. They have to additionally set assortment, processing and reuse quotas and supply focused help for waste administration stakeholders to undertake new applied sciences and broaden their current capacities.”

Inside the area, Colombia is main by instance, making use of regulatory provisions which set up a compulsory system of Prolonged Producer Accountability (EPR). Producers listed below are required to gather small-scale and industrial batteries from sources resembling electromobility and ship them for recycling. A community of revolutionary firms and a nationwide working group on round options for lithium-ion batteries are collaborating to drive ahead the reuse and recycling of those batteries.

Reuse earlier than recycling

The study additionally emphasizes the significance of a second life for used lithium-ion batteries that now not function at 100% p.c capability. For instance, older batteries are classed as unsuitable to be used in electrical autos as soon as their capability has decreased to 70% or 80%. Nonetheless, these batteries will be deployed very successfully in stationary energy storage options, e.g., to retailer photo voltaic electrical energy or to offer emergency energy storage in hospitals.

By prioritizing reuse or prolonged use, it’s potential to extend a battery’s service life by as a lot as 10 years, thereby conserving substantial portions of the precious assets required for brand new battery manufacturing. Extending the service life additionally has clear financial advantages: in keeping with the optimistic state of affairs described within the research, there’s potential for second use of as much as 2.8 million tons of batteries within the research area, producing further market worth of round 11 million {dollars}.

“These approaches concurrently ease the strain on the extractive business. The longer the batteries’ service life and the extra environment friendly their end-of-life recycling, the extra assets we are able to depart underground,” Viviana Lopez factors out. “Coalitions of battery producers, authorities authorities, waste disposal and recycling firms, distributors and environmental organizations can present focused help to make sure that takeback schemes function effectively.”

Lithium-ion batteries in Latin America

As a result of progress in renewable vitality use and e-mobility, demand for lithium-ion batteries in Latin America and the Caribbean has surged. The area has set itself bold local weather and renewables targets: for instance, it goals to attain a 550% improve in energy technology from wind and photo voltaic by 2030 in comparison with 2015.

Using battery storage is significant in reaching these targets. Moreover, 67% of the world’s lithium reserves are positioned within the area, and whereas mining is a vital financial think about some areas, it additionally has adversarial impacts on the atmosphere and native communities.

Offered by
Öko-Institut e. V. – Institut für angewandte Ökologie