By Cheng Huiqiang and Wang Haiqin, battery recycling policy research team, Research Institute of Resources and Environment Policies, Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC)

Report No 70, 2014 (Total 4569)

Summary:

As China's economy develops, the demand for batteries has risen rapidly and, as a result, what to do with waste batteries has become a serious problem. The amount of waste batteries is immense, but battery recycling is in a state of disarray and completely inefficient.

China badly needs a waste battery recycling system, as an important part of its renewable resource system, to make waste battery recycling an industry in itself and a new growth point in recycling to promote green, cyclic, low-carbon development and ecological progress.

This study suggests that the country improve its laws and regulations in this area in accordance with the Circular Economy Promotion Law, build a wide-spread battery recycling system, establish suitable, professional enterprises for this with regional plans, and encourage battery recycling projects and campaigns for greater public participation.