Advertisment

How advanced battery refurbishment tech can reduce e-waste?|

Refurbished batteries readily fit into wider framework of circular economy -- a model developed to promote resource conservation and waste reduction by extending product and material lifespans, and recycling them back into use rather than disposal.

author-image
DQI Bureau
New Update
Siemens
Listen to this article
0.75x 1x 1.5x
00:00 / 00:00

Today, the world has gone digital. Whether it's about individuals using technologies in their daily tasks or organizations leveraging the advancements for their operations, everyone has attained benefits in some way or another. Yet, this increasing dependency on technology has created a surge in electronic waste (e-waste) generation. 

Advertisment

Any discarded object that includes a plug or battery is considered e-waste and is extremely harmful to both humans and the environment because of its toxic contents. This situation will deteriorate further as according to the UNITAR report, the global e-waste generation is rising by 2.6 million tons every year. Moreover, it is anticipated to reach 82 million tons by 2030. 

Lead-acid batteries, adopted across industries, pose serious environmental hazards if not disposed of correctly. As environmental concerns continue to rise, it has now become critical to identify long-term solutions for e-waste and battery disposal. 

Battery refurbishment as a sustainable solution
Battery refurbishment has surfaced as one of the most effective approaches to manage e-waste. Rather than discarding outdated batteries, it re-vitalizes them. It also increases their lifespan and lowers the demand for new raw materials. 

Advertisment

The electrochemical battery enhancement process (EBEP) stands at the forefront of this innovation. By removing sulphate accumulation on the battery plates, a major contributor to deterioration, this environmentally benign technique improves the performance of lead-acid batteries. Compared to traditional approaches that use toxic chemicals, EBEP - The Battery Rejuvenation technology revitalizes batteries without affecting their durability, providing an eco-friendly solution for users and the environment. 

Additionally, comprehensive AMC services play a vital role in reducing e-waste by ensuring batteries are regularly maintained, thus preventing premature disposal. Through routine inspections, timely servicing and preventive maintenance, these services help detect and resolve potential issues early, reducing the likelihood of battery failures. 

By extending the operational life of battery banks to their full 5-6-year lifecycle—rather than them being discarded after just 2-3 years of usage — AMC services significantly cut down on battery waste. This proactive approach not only optimizes performance and reduces costs but also contributes to environmental sustainability by minimizing the volume of discarded batteries and the associated ecological impact. 

Advertisment

Environmental and economic benefits of battery refurbishment
Refurbishing batteries has several economic and environmental benefits. From an economic perspective, refurbishment is significantly less expensive than replacement, allowing businesses and consumers to save money while receiving dependable performance from their battery systems. 

Delaying new purchases reduces demand for raw materials such as lead, which are both expensive to mine and detrimental to the environment. This also has an environmental benefit- reduced raw material extraction. When lead-acid batteries are carelessly dumped, hazardous chemicals leak into soil and groundwater, while recycling operations emit greenhouse gases. Refurbishment extends the battery's working lifespan, reducing the frequency of disposals and thus lowering both hazardous waste output and recycling-related emissions. 

In addition, refurbished batteries readily fit into the wider framework of the circular economy -- a model developed to promote resource conservation and waste reduction by extending product and material lifespans, and recycling them back into use, rather than disposal. 

Advertisment

In conclusion, the escalating environmental challenges posed by e-waste necessitate new solutions that not only address the underlying causes of waste generation but also create a more sustainable and circular economy. Battery refurbishment, aided by sophisticated technologies like EBEP, provides an effective tool in this quest.  

By prolonging lead-acid battery lifespan and mitigating environmental harm while fitting into circular economies such as EBEP’s circular economy model, refurbishment technologies offer an immediate solution to meet rising global energy storage demands. As economies transition toward more responsible practices, adopting rejuvenation battery technologies will play a major role in driving both economic efficiency and environmental stewardship.

-- Kavinder Khurana, MD, Energy And Fire Tech Pvt Ltd.

battery
Advertisment