Nickel-cadmium batteries in Germany – new study favours ban

Nickel-cadmium batteries in Germany – new study favours ban

Rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries account for about 400 tons of the highly toxic heavy metal cadmium discharged into the environment in Germany every year. The most significant cause is that the present take-back systems for used batteries are apparently inadequate. A mere 30 per cent of cadmium batteries such as are used in battery-operated power tools are returned by the population, despite the fact that since 1998, used batteries and accumulators may not be disposed of in household trash.

A study carried out by the French-German Institute for Environmental Research (DFIU) of the University of Karlsruhe on behalf of the German Federal Environmental Agency therefore concludes that a ban on nickel-cadmium batteries for use in tools would be the only certain way to avoid pollution of the environment from this source. The Federal Environmental Agency believes that regulation of the manufacture and sales of cadmium batteries is necessary at national and European levels. There are some tried and tested alternatives to nickel-cadmium batteries. A debate at the EU level to limit cadmium content in batteries to 0.002 per cent, which is tantamount to a ban on the use of nickel-cadmium batteries, is feasible as a last resort.

The research project investigated the redemption, sorting, and recycling of used batteries. Its authors provide a comprehensive overview of sales figures, take-back systems, and recycling processes for batteries and accumulators in Germany. It considers nickel-cadmium batteries especially problematic as their composition is about 20 per cent of the heavy metal cadmium, which is high toxic for mankind and the environment. Although there are alternative battery systems that operate on a lithium and nickel-metal-hydride basis, sales of nickel-cadmium batteries have remained steady for ten years at about 3,000 tons per year in Germany. Only about a third (32 per cent) are recovered by take-back systems such as the GRS (Foundation for a Joint Battery Collection System). About 400 tons of cadmium per year remain unaccounted for.

According to Federal Environmental Agency estimates, about 200 tons end up in household trash. The remaining 200 tons are distributed among other waste collection systems such as the “Gelbe Tonne” (yellow containers for collecting plastics, packaging, and some metals), heavy household waste, industrial waste, and unregulated disposal and storage in households.

The toxic effect of cadmium on humans has been well-researched, and it has been classified as a carcinogenic substance. For precautionary health reasons, the Federal Environmental Agency considers it wise to prohibit nickel-cadmium batteries in order to minimize the entry of cadmium into the production cycle and the environment. Once cadmium is released into the biosphere it remains there forever, for it is not degradable and accumulates in the environment.

The study shows that alkaline manganese and zinc-carbon primary batteries (non-rechargeable) remain the most commonly used batteries in Germany. The mercury content in them is problematic since it damages the environment and encumbers recycling. However, the amendment to the EU Battery Directive of 1998 and the German ordinance on batteries of 2001 have already provided an environmentally compatible solution– since 2001 all batteries, with the exception of button cells, may only have a mercury content of < .0005 per cent, making them virtually mercury-free. A comparable regulation for cadmium (< .002 per cent) is being considered for amendment of the Battery Directive. Returned batteries are sorted and recycled or disposed of. Only about 33 per cent of returned batteries are currently recycled, although an increase is expected as batteries containing mercury diminish. The purpose of collection and recycling is to avoid the discharge of pollutants into the environment and to recover raw materials. Accor