Around 1.300 tons of cells and batteries were collected last year by the waste management entity Electrão, an increase of 90% compared to 2022, but still insufficient, according to the association.
«Much of this material continues to be deposited in unsorted waste», and when this happens, it is not only bad for public health and the environment but also materials that could be reused in the production of new cells and batteries are wasted, warns the Electrão association in a statement balance sheet for 2023 but also to raise awareness and alert.
Cells and batteries, he explains, contain “highly harmful substances” that pollute the soil and water, “but they also contain materials that can be recycled, such as lithium and cobalt, which are on the list of raw materials identified by the European Commission as being critical to ensuring the ecological and digital transition”.
Despite the large increase in collection for recycling, according to Eletrão, the quantities collected are only equivalent to around 100 grams per person, just over two batteries, «which is still clearly insufficient compared to the quantities available for collection».
According to the statement, the 1.227 tons collected last year contrast with the 644 tons of the previous year (90% more), an increase mainly due to industrial batteries, which registered an increase from 363 tons recycled in 2022 to 891 tons in 2023 (plus 145%), especially from business and industrial activities.
In batteries and portable batteries (for example, controls, toys, cell phones and computers) the increase was 19%, from 281 tons to 335 last year.
Electrão says that the evolution in 2023 is due in particular to the collaboration of municipalities, traders, companies and institutions, and in the case of batteries and portable batteries to the increase in the number of collection points, which grew by 17%.
Currently, according to data from the management entity, there are 7.212 places where it is possible to place used batteries, 1.060 more than there were in 2022. Ricardo Furtado, general director of the association, says, quoted in the statement, that this year he wants to increase even more more.
Electrão is a Waste Management association, with responsibilities for three waste collection and recycling systems: packaging, batteries and used electrical equipment.
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