Researchers from Nanjing University School of Engineering have
created a device which can turn Ni-Cd batteries -- commonly used in
electronic devices such as mobile phones -- into nickel alloy and
cadmium.
The researchers are hopeful this could be a real money-spinner
and on Tuesday they signed a contract with Changzhou-based Maosheng
Alloy Manufacturing Factory to build a production facility.
As the latest all-singing, all-dancing mobile phone
advertisements flash across our TV screens, many people may well be
tempted to throw away their 2005-era relic and purchase something
more modern.
However, as the mountain of discarded phones grows quicker than
the number of available musical ring tones so does the challenge
facing environmentalists and the authorities.
"With a total investment of 26 million yuan (US$3.5 million) the
facility can get 1,800 tons of Nickel alloy and 1,600 tons of
cadmium out of 6,000 tons of batteries every year which should mean
an annual profit of 300 million yuan (US$37.5 million),"?
vice-professor Luo Xinzhang told China Daily.
The project is reported to be the largest of its kind in the
country and Maosheng Alloy Manufacturing Factory is now seeking
cooperation with recycling companies and battery producers to
ensure they get a steady supply of batteries.
However Luo doesn't plan to stop there as he expects the
facility to expand next year and hopefully become a national base
for battery recycling.
"Changzhou municipal government has already promised to give us
the necessary help and we're now waiting for permission from the
Ministry of Science and Technology to build the facility," said
Luo.
According to Luo they're making adjustments to their current
device so it can handle most types of batteries.
"The number of dumped batteries is increasing rapidly as more
and more families update their electronics," said Luo. "Our
recycling device must be up to date to deal with the demand," he
added.?
Environmentalists gave the news a warm welcome as dumped
batteries pollute the environment and can cause harm to people.
.
"In the past we launched activities to recycle discarded
batteries," said Wang Jun, a volunteer in environmental protection
at Nanjing Univerity. "But we couldn't do anything with them and
just disposed of them in a safe place. The harm is still there. But
with this new method these potentially dangerous batteries will
finally be properly disposed of," he added.
However, experts say the country needs a special law to regulate
battery recycling in order to raise awareness. "It is a common
practice in foreign countries that battery producers and consumers
both shoulder the responsibility for recycling," said Zheng Zheng,
dean of the School of Environment. "Only through joint efforts from
the whole of society can people be safe from the harm done by this
hazardous waste."?
(China Daily June 30, 2006)