|
|
| EUROPEAN INITIATIVES |
 |
 |
|
The battery industry has about 12 years experience of collection, sorting and recycling of
batteries in several European countries. The chart gives an overview of the total
collection results. Panasonic commenced a programme to remove mercury from alkaline
manganese batteries in 1985, as agreed within the European Portable Battery Industry (EPBA).
At that time 1% by weight of mercury was added to these batteries and it was decided that
mercury would be reduced in a series of steps to the level where no additions of mercury
were made. At that time zinc carbon batteries also contained mercury but at a lower
concentration of 0.1% and its removal too was incorporated within the programme. All
general purpose batteries sold by EPBA members were mercury free from 1 January 1994. This
initiative was undertaken as an entirely voluntary measure by producers and at an
investment of more than €100 million. All general purpose batteries sold by EPBA members
(including alkalines) were mercury free from 1 January 1994. This initiative was undertaken as
an entirely voluntary measure by producers and at an investment of more than €100 million.
|
|
 |
|
| Decline of mecury in Alkaline Manganese batteries 1985 - 1994 |
|
 |
|
|
|
| Alternative battery chemistries |
|
In addition, during the 1980s the mercuric oxide battery was the dominant battery chemistry
used in photographic applications and in hearing aids. This battery contained more than
30% mercury and this could not be removed because mercury was a key ingredient that
allowed the battery to work, its removal would mean that the battery would no longer
function.
The battery industry set about developing alternative battery chemistries to replace the
mercuric oxide battery which would incorporate cleaner technology. As a result the lithium
manganese dioxide and zinc air batteries were introduced on to the consumer market. It took
a little more time for camera and hearing aid designers to make their products so as to
operate with the new batteries. Thus started a process of substituting the high mercury
containing battery with low (2%) mercury containing zinc air button cells and zero mercury
containing lithium manganese dioxide batteries.
|
|
