Fluorescent lamp and dry battery recycling technology and the current recycling situation in Taiwan and Japan

Abstract

We focus on technology for the treatment of mercury-containing waste and the current recycling situation for fluorescent lamps and dry batteries in Taiwan and Japan. In Taiwan, the recycling rates for fluorescent lamps and dry batteries are 88% and 45%, respectively,and in Japan, they are approximately 30% and 26%, respectively. This is despite the fact that Japan has good management systems and technologies for processing such waste. Taiwan’s recycling rates are unachievable in many countries and they show that Taiwan has efficient waste processing technologies and a sound waste management system. For Japan, we recommend the adoption of Taiwan’s recycling subsidy foundation system. Further, the producer responsibility system should be implemented for more than just industrial waste, and an independent database should be established for the amounts of mercury-containing products that are produced, sold, and recycled. This will improve control of mercury-containing waste and facilitate public inspection.

Taiwan and Japan have good recycling technology for fluorescent lamps and dry batteries. In Japan, crushing and washing is used for fluorescent lamps and rotary kiln for dry batteries. In Taiwan, crushing thermal desorption is used for fluorescent lamps and batch process distillation for dry batteries. The methods followed in Japan have better processing efficiency and not only focus on fluorescent lamps and dry batteries but also on another mercury-containing waste and their constituent compounds. On the other hand, methods followed in Taiwan are applicable on a smaller scale and are suitable only for fluorescent lamps and dry batteries. As both technologies have their own advantages and disadvantages, countries should consider the national conditions and evaluate them before adopting one. Regarding mercury, Taiwan’s front-end recycling system is relatively better managed, while Japan has a relatively complete management system of solidifying technology and specifications at the back end. In response to international trends, Taiwan and other countries should execute further regulated and environmentally sound storage methods for recovered mercury.