Abstract
A material flow model for spent automotive batteries in Japan was developed, and a survival function of spent batteries stored in households was also determined by questionnaire.
Our Internet questionnaire revealed that the return rates of old batteries were almost 100% at gas stations and vehicle maintenance facilities; about 80% at car parts and accessory shops; about 50% at do-it-yourself stores; and about 85% on the average. About 2.3 million batteries went unreturned annually. About five million spent batteries were stored in households for an average time of approximately 2.2 years thus far. The recycling rates of spent automotive batteries in fiscal year 2003 were estimated as follows: (a) Domestic recycling rate 84%; (b) Domestic dismantling rate (a+ export of dismantled batteries) 87% ; Domestic collection rate (b+export of spent batteries) 89%. The remaining 11% of batteries are exported in secondhand vehicles (5%), incinerated or landfilled, illegally dumped or counted as changes in household stocks.
