Batteries
Handling of Batteries in Crete
The production of batteries in Crete presents a considerable reduction during the last decade, mainly due to the severe competition by other countries. The Greek production of manganese batteries is very low, while the nickel-cadmium batteries and lithium batteries consumed in Greece originate almost exclusively from imports.
As far as the consumption of small batteries (batteries and accumulators) is concerned, the Greek market demonstrates an increasing trend in the consumption of nickel-cadmium, metal hydride and lithium batteries, while at the same time, mercury batteries tend to extinct.
Within the framework of the LIFE GREEN BATTERIES project, an assessment of the quantities of batteries discarded in Crete was performed, using a variety of methods, in order to obtain reliable and comparable results.
Data was collected on the basis of:
- - Estimations of various organizations, such as associations of importers and recyclers of batteries, etc.
- - Use of appropriate indicators based on data provided by the National Statistical Service of Greece.
- - Use of questionnaires which were distributed in schools.
According to the aforementioned data, the quantity of small batteries, including batteries and accumulators with a weight less than 1.5 kg, sold in Crete during the year 2005 are estimated at approx. 190 tons, while the quantity of small batteries discarded are estimated at 9 batteries per year per family.
Management of small batteries
Concerning the management of batteries, until recently, because of the fact that the operation of units dealing with the recycling of batteries was not viable, the development of a collection system anticipated a number of problems, thus not allowing the formulation of an organized collection system for batteries.
During the years 2002 - 2004, isolated attempts took place, mainly by super markets and companies selling batteries, putting special collection bins at their stores.
At the same time, essential legislative changes took place, with the adoption of Law 2939/2001 "Packaging and Alternative Management of Packaging and of other Products - Foundation of the National Organization for the Alternative Management of Packaging and Other Products (ÅÏÅDSAP) and other provisions" which applies to packaging and to other special waste streams (batteries, accumulators, waste oils, and voluminous materials) and especially with the adoption of the Presidential Decree 115/2004 (OJ 80Á/2004) "Replacement of the Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) 73537/1438/1995 "Management of batteries and accumulators containing hazardous substances" (OJ Â 781) and JMD 19817/2000 "Amendment of JMD 73537/1995" (OJ Â963). " Measures, conditions and program for the alternative management of used batteries and accumulators".
According to the Packaging Law, the Polluter Pays Principle is fully applicable, which means that specific requirements and obligations are imposed on the producers and importers of various products, including batteries and accumulators. With the application of this legislative framework, the collection and recycling of batteries does not depend any more on the potential viability of the recycling system, but constitutes a direct obligation for the producers and importers of these products.
In concrete, the Presidential Decree on batteries and accumulators repeals the existing legislation on this field, thus harmonizing national legislation with the provisions of Directive 91/157/EEC, which prescribes the general demands for the design and implementation of programs for the environmentally sound management of batteries and accumulators.
The Presidential Decree imposes quantitative targets for the collection and recycling of batteries and accumulators, analyses the obligations of the producers, importers and resellers and sets up the terms and conditions for the development of alternative management programs.
The targets set by the Presidential Decree are:
- - By the 31st of December 2006 at least 30% by weight of all used batteries must be collected. This target has to be separately achieved for batteries containing more than 5 ppm of mercury.
- - By the 31st of December 2006 at least 70% by weight of all used industrial and vehicle accumulators must be collected. This target has to be achieved separately for the accumulators containing cadmium.
- - By the 31st of December 2006 at least 80% by weight of the collected batteries has to be recycled.
- - By the 31st of December 2006 at least 80% by weight of the collected accumulators must be recycled.
According to the Presidential Decree, the producers, importers and recyclers of batteries and accumulators are obliged either to organize an individual alternative management system or to participate in a - licensed - collective management system. For the organization and operation of each individual or collective management system an administrative license is required, which is issued by EOEDSAP.
Participation in a collective management system also requires the deposit by the producer or importer of a specific fee, paid by him to the system. The producer or importer, through this payment and participation to the system, is relieved from his legislative obligations according to the Law, and can therefore mark his products with the official marking of the system.
Within this framework the Association of Producers and Agents of Batteries in Greece has developed a licensed alternative management system under the name of "AFIS S.A."
The LIFE GREEN BATTERIES project partners came in touch from the first moment with the Association of Producers and Agents of Batteries arranging meeting and round tables aiming at the development of a separate collection and recycling system for small batteries in Greece. After the establishment of the AFIS system a permanent cooperation between the project partners and AFIS was established, aiming at the achievement of the common goal which is the effective collection and recycling of batteries.