Sustainable management of alkaline battery waste in developing countries by waste reduction and metal recovery development: A cost-benefit study based on waste flow analysis to select the optimum scenario

Abstract

Alkaline batteries are one of the most used types of household batteries. The annual consumption of billions of alkaline batteries produces battery wastes that are not recycled in most countries. In this study, alkaline battery waste management status was investigated by defining an economic model based on cost-benefit analysis. Scenarios for improving the current situation by combining battery waste reduction methods and developing battery waste recycling units were compared using this financial model. The results showed that 24 tons of solid wastes from three sizes of alkaline batteries were landfilled annually, which caused 4.52 tons of zinc to leak into the environment. The cost-benefit of zinc recovery from the alkaline batteries was estimated by 73.1 USD/kg. Based on this, the study estimates that the linear management of alkaline battery waste results in an annual financial potential loss of 198,832 USD. 30% reduction in battery wastes by replacement of rechargeable batteries and the development of battery waste processing units to 50% of the current potential will reduce the annual release of zinc to the environment by 0.9 tons and the annual net income will be equivalent to 131,229 USD. Changing the management of alkaline battery wastes from a linear economy to a material recovery cycle will have a positive financial balance in addition to reducing environmental damage.