LEGAL MEASURES REGARDING LITHIUM-ION BATTERY WASTE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

This article studies legal measures for managing lithium-ion battery waste in Thailand and foreign country and international organization. It addresses the growing global issue of increasing lithium-ion battery waste due to the expanding use of electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops as well as electric vehicles. This has led to an increased need for waste management systems. However, improper lithium-ion battery waste management may affect the environment and human health through leakage of hazardous substances such as lithium, manganese, and cobalt. In Thailand, extant legal measures are incomprehensive and unsystematic, not fully addressing sustainable resource use and lacking measures for raw material recycling and reuse. These inadequate legal measures in Thailand make lithium-ion battery waste management ineffective. Therefore, international legal measures for lithium-ion battery waste management in the European Union, India, and Singapore were comparatively studied to analyze and identify suitable
legal measures for managing lithium-ion battery waste in Thailand aligning with the national economic and social context.

Results were that legal measures in other countries define specific comprehensive laws on battery waste management through the entire life cycle of batteries, starting from separation and collection and ending with disposal. These nations have adopted the circular economy model to efficiently manage battery waste by circulating waste into products to reduce natural resource use. They also implemented extended producer responsibility (EPR) to compel manufacturers and distributors to assume responsibility for managing batteries produced and sold to consumers, bearing the associated costs. These international legal measures provide a comprehensive, effective approach to managing expired batteries throughout their life cycle, allowing for recycling and reuse of materials, and contributing to resource efficiency by reducing the volume of waste requiring disposal. In addition, these legal measures promote producer and distributor responsibility, relieving the burden and cost on government agencies. These findings suggest that Thailand should develop legal measures by integrating EPR and circular economy principles into legislation related to electronic product and e-waste management directed by the Pollution Control Department. This would compel producers/manufacturers and distributors to participate in battery waste management, from product design to the end of battery life cycle. Banning battery disposal without treatment and recycling should be enforced. Targets should also be set for recovering materials for recycling and reuse, and information such as quantities of collected, treated, and recycled batteries should be recorded by producers/manufacturers. This information would be subject to government inspection to ensure compliance with established targets.