Used lead acid battery recycling in India and railways: possible policy alternatives

Abstract

Used lead acid batteries have a high metal content and the recovery of lead from these wastes is a low energy, low cost operation. The recycling of lead waste, especially from batteries, by the unorganised sector causes (a) environmental damage to the surrounding areas as their recovery methods are inefficient and the optimum quantity of lead is not recovered, resulting in a considerable amount of lead entering the environment, and (b) it also endangers the health of the workers who are engaged in this activity. The MoEF notification in 2001 tried to arrest this practice by stipulating that all individuals, institutions and commercial establishments, such as dealers, manufacturers, etc. have to ensure that used lead acid batteries are handed over to authorised recyclers. Newspaper and NGOs, however, report that the recycling of used lead acid batteries is still flourishing in the unorganised sector, in India. On the other hand, industrialised countries, especially the USA and the EU have adopted policies which have resulted in an effective recycling system. This dissertation will discuss ? The recycling policies in India, their structure, how they have evolved and how they are being implemented in a government institution the Railways.? A brief history of the lead industry, the usage of lead and its effects on human health.? The policies prevalent in industrialised and developing countries and how they have tackled the issue of used lead acid battery recycling in their countries.? The recycling policy in the context of the Indian Railways, with specific reference to the cost of disposal of batteries in the Railways and what effect the MoEF notification in 2001 had on battery disposal in the Railways. These studies and analyses will suggest that (a) an alternative policy that is based on cost-effectiveness will be most appropriate in the Indian context, and (b) there is a need for the immediate promulgation of a notification with respect to Ni-Cd batteries, and (c) the Indian Railways will benefit if it disposes of its used lead acid batteries directly to the manufacturer instead of selling it to secondary smelters, and government should increase custom duty on import of lead so that import of lead is discouraged.