On 24th August 2022, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change announced the introduction of the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. This is a thoughtful drive undertaken to administer the rising count of battery waste as a part of e-waste. These guidelines are addressed to ensure mature handling of the battery waste safeguarding the environment. The honourable Prime Minister of India has welcomed the new rules for embracing the circular economy model at the earliest. These new battery waste rules are a replacement for the persisting Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules 2001.
The whole institution of the Battery Waste Management Rules 2022 results from the high traction gained by electricity due to the palpable stress on renewable energy. Much in anticipation, the need and use of batteries would rise. The situation required an immediate and proactive policy to be implemented.
Battery Waste Rules 2022 In Details
It is understandable by now that the previous battery waste recycling rules of 2001 became incapacitated to function. But the game couldn’t stop; the massive count of battery waste needed to be stopped. The present rules concerning battery recycling India works in alliance with EPR or Extended Producer Responsibility.
This policy points the producers, including the importers of batteries, to collect and refurbish/recycle waste batteries responsibly and also utilise recovered materials from wastes into fresh batteries. These rules apply to consumers, dealers, producers, and entities concerned with recycling segregation, accumulation, refurbishment, transportation, and battery waste.
Key Highlights of Battery Waste Recycling 2022
As responsible citizens, it is essential to have a comprehensive idea of the revamped rules.
Areas It Has Covered
As aforementioned, these battery waste recycling rules include sorts, namely, industrial batteries, portable, Electric Vehicle batteries, and automotive ones as well.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR runs on the basic vision of having the battery producers be accountable for the accumulation and recycling or refurbishment of battery waste. Some additional features are:
a) According to EPR rules, the waste batteries are required to be gathered and delivered for recycling or refurbishing purposes - Throwing them in landfills, and incineration is a big ‘NO’.
b) To adhere to the EPR obligations, producers might employ themselves or authorise additional entities to supply, recycle, or refurbish waste batteries.
c) This sanctions the establishment of a mechanism and centralised online portal for the exchange of EPR certificates between producers and recyclers for fulfilling the obligations of producers.
d) Lowered Reliance on Raw Materials
This is one of the battery customs that directs at diminished usage of raw materials to produce new batteries. A specific number of recycled materials are prescribed for using the new batteries. As a result, the dependency on new raw materials is significantly reduced, and a massive amount of natural resources are saved.
e) Waste Management
This feature talks about promoting new industries and entrepreneurship establishments to steer waste batteries' collection and refurbishment.
f) Fresh Business Opportunities
This is one of the battery rules that authorise the basic percentage of recovery of materials from waste batteries. This is carried out under the rules, which are supposed to bring in fresh technologies and investment in the recycling and refurbishment industry and make way for fresh business openings.
g) Online Registration
The online registration feature includes auditing, reporting, and an entire committee that monitors the implementation of the battery rules and accordingly takes preventive actions for the deduction of difficulties.
h) Polluter Pay Principle
A certain amount of environmental compensation will be imposed for all cases of failure to abide by the EPR battery waste rules, targets, responsibilities, and obligations.
i) Environmental Compensation Fund
As can be well understood from the name, this is a fund specifically assigned for the utilization of environmental needs - recycling uncollected and non-recycled waste batteries.
j) Outcome-Oriented Concept
This is an exceptional feature where the new rules are designed focusing on the concept of ‘Outcome Oriented’. The basis of measurements depends on the amount of collection and recycling of the wase conducted within the compliance timeframe.
For instance, two-wheeler manufacturers are mandated to accumulate 70% of their batteries sold in the market during 2022-23 with a -year compliance time frame beginning 2026-27.
What are the Possible Concerns Circling Battery Waste Recycling?
One of the biggest downfalls witnessed in the recent battery waste recycling is not prioritising the method of labelling for reflecting the carbon footprint of the battery. Following this measure might have made a transparent and thoughtful environmental influence.
All in all, the battery waste rules of India, though impactful, are not devoid of challenges. The need of the hour is ensuring the proper implementation of the rules and regulations, whilst ensuring a follow-up.
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