China to standardise collection of 70% of used lead-acid batteries by 2025

SHANGHAI, Feb 3 (SMM) – China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and other eight ministries on January 22 jointly issued the notice on the Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Used Lead-acid Battery Pollution to further regulate the recycling of spent lead-acid batteries.

The document states that the collection of at least 40% of all used lead-acid batteries must be standardised by 2020, and to hit 70% by 2025.

China’s production of lead-acid batteries accounted for over 40% of the global total in 2017, and generated 3.8 million mt of used batteries, said a representative of the MEE’s solid waste and chemicals management center. Improperly dismantling and processing of used lead-acid batteries would result in serious environmental pollution, the official added.

The document requires the MEE and local authorities to identify key producers of lead-acid batteries, primary lead and secondary lead by the end of June.

Producers would be subject to checks of clean production, with intervals of no more than five years. Lead-acid battery producers and traders would face stricter thresholds of industry access.

Later on January 24, the MEE and the Ministry of Transport announced another plan to establish a used lead-acid battery collecting network by the end of 2020. This is expected to promote the development of a standard and orderly battery recycling system and control the pollution caused by used lead-acid batteries.

Pilot units such as lead-acid battery producers and recyclers are encouraged to work with relevant associations or organisations to establish collecting spots and delivery hubs. Used batteries would be categorised at the collecting spots and gathered at the delivery hub before they are delivered to recycling mills.