About 40 billion batteries were produced in the year 2000 and this number is
increasing at approximately 5% annually. A large number of these batteries
contain hazardous materials. Batteries also contain significant quantities of
important materials. Consequently the uncontrolled disposal of batteries
presents both a major risk to health and the environment and a significant
waste of valuable material resources. Recognizing the importance of
controlling battery waste disposal, worldwide government and industry efforts have
been initiated to collect and recycle such wastes.
Led by the OECD member states, legislation has been put in
place mandating the collection and recycling of cadmium, lead and mercury
batteries. Industry organizations have been established for the purpose of educating
the consumer and developing collection/recycling programs. We may mention the
Portable Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA) and the Rechargeable Battery
Recycling Corporation (RBRC) in the U.S.A., and the European Portable Battery
Association (EPBA) and CollectNiCad in Europe. As a consequence of these laws
and programs, increasing quantities of spent batteries are being collected and
recycled.
We wish to express our deep gratitude to the contributors of the various
chapters of this book and to the organizations and companies that have
provided us general information and encouragement. Many of these
groups have also contributed on a regular basis to the annual congresses
organized first in the U.S.A. by one of us (S.P. Wolsky) - Seminar on Battery
Waste Management - and later by others in Europe - Battery Recycling
Congress.
Our goal has been to present in one volume a systematic and updated summary
of the important aspects of the battery waste issue. As such this book will
be of interest to all those working in this
important field.
(preface)