LITHIUM Australia is assessing the use of recycled battery components as fertiliser micro-nutrients.
Glasshouse testing of mixed metal dust recovered from recycled alkaline batteries were completed under the direction of the company’s consulting agronomist.
Nine tests were conducted on a quadruplicate basis to statistically assess mixed metal dust (MMD) performance as a fertiliser against control samples.
The alkaline MMD is produced by the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Envirostream Australia at its spent-battery recycling facility in Victoria.
Envirostream collects the spent alkaline batteries from pick-up points at numerous locations, including Bunnings, Officeworks and Cleanaway, which are then mechanically shredded, with the cathode and anode active compounds (collectively referred to as MMD) separated.
That material contains the high levels of zinc and manganese which are of the most interest as fertiliser micro-nutrients.
The trials concluded that while uptake of zinc and manganese from the MMD was observed, as expected, it was slower in comparison to that of fertiliser-grade sulphate products over the compressed duration of the glasshouse pot trial.
But the results were encouraging enough for the company to commit to the next stage of assessment, which may include blended fertiliser agglomeration testing with an ammonium phosphate-based fertiliser such as MAP or DAP.
Lithium Australia managing director Adrian Griffin said sustainable and ethical supply of critical materials proved a global challenge.
“Recycling all the metals within spent batteries is something that’s rarely done effectively, which is why it remains a target for us,” he said.
“We have not limited ourselves to recycling only lithium-ion batteries but, rather, have included alkaline batteries in a bid to eliminate all such items from landfill.
“We’re cognisant of the environmental implications of burying such ‘waste’ and encourage all consumers to join us in recycling every spent battery for the benefit of the environment now for the sake of the future.”
