Daily Current Affairs : 3-June-2024
In India, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has taken a significant step towards environmental sustainability by transferring cost-effective lithium-ion battery recycling technology to nine industries and start-ups. This initiative is part of the Mission LiFE under the Promote Circularity Campaign. The goal is to reduce waste, conserve valuable resources, and promote eco-friendly practices in battery recycling.
What Is Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling?
Recycling lithium-ion batteries involves several critical steps to recover valuable materials and minimize the environmental impact of discarded batteries.
Key Steps in the Recycling Process:
- Collection and Sorting: The first step involves collecting discarded lithium-ion batteries and sorting them based on their type.
- Disassembly: Batteries are then carefully disassembled to separate components like electrodes, which contain valuable metals.
- Leaching Process: The electrodes are submerged in a solution that dissolves metals like lithium, cobalt, manganese, and nickel.
- Purification: After leaching, the extracted metals are purified to remove impurities, resulting in high-purity compounds such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
This process ensures that over 95% of valuable metals like lithium, cobalt, manganese, and nickel are recovered, with a purity level of approximately 98%.
Why Is Recycling Important?
The recycling of lithium-ion batteries serves several important purposes:
- Resource Conservation: It helps recover valuable materials that can be reused, reducing the need for mining.
- Environmental Protection: By recycling, harmful environmental impacts from battery disposal, such as soil and water contamination, are minimized.
- Sustainability: It promotes a circular economy where materials are reused instead of being discarded, contributing to more sustainable practices in manufacturing.
The Technology Behind the Initiative
The innovative technology used for recycling was developed at the Centre of Excellence on E-waste Management, in collaboration with the Government of Telangana and industry partners. This technology enables the efficient processing of various types of lithium-ion batteries, helping industries manage increasing waste volumes.
India’s Lithium-Ion Battery Waste Crisis
India generates over 50,000 tons of lithium-ion battery waste annually, and the amount is growing at a rate of 40-80%. Despite this, India relies heavily on imports for its lithium needs, primarily sourcing it from Australia and Argentina. Additionally, about 70% of India’s lithium-ion cells come from China and Hong Kong.
Important Points:
Mission LiFE Initiative: MeitY in India has transferred cost-effective lithium-ion battery recycling technology to nine industries and start-ups as part of the Mission LiFE under the Promote Circularity Campaign.
Recycling Process:
- Collection and Sorting: Discarded batteries are collected and sorted.
- Disassembly: Batteries are carefully disassembled to separate valuable components like electrodes.
- Leaching Process: Electrodes are submerged in a solution to dissolve metals like lithium, cobalt, manganese, and nickel.
- Purification: Extracted metals are purified to remove impurities, resulting in high-purity compounds.
Recovery Efficiency: Over 95% of valuable metals (lithium, cobalt, manganese, nickel) are recovered, with a purity level of about 98%.
Importance of Recycling:
- Resource Conservation: Reduces the need for mining by recovering valuable materials.
- Environmental Protection: Minimizes harmful environmental impacts from battery disposal.
- Promotes Sustainability: Contributes to a circular economy, encouraging material reuse in manufacturing.
Technology Development: The recycling technology was developed at the Centre of Excellence on E-waste Management in collaboration with the Government of Telangana and industry partners.
India’s Battery Waste Crisis:
- India generates over 50,000 tons of lithium-ion battery waste annually, growing at a rate of 40-80%.
- India imports all of its lithium from Australia and Argentina, and 70% of lithium-ion cells come from China and Hong Kong.
Why In News
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in India has transferred cost-effective lithium-ion battery recycling technology to nine recycling industries and start-ups as part of the Mission LiFE under the “Promote Circularity Campaign.” This initiative is aimed at fostering innovation in sustainable practices and reducing the environmental impact of growing e-waste in the country.
MCQs about Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling in India
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What is the main objective of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY) initiative under the “Promote Circularity Campaign”?
A. To reduce the cost of lithium-ion batteries
B. To promote the use of renewable energy
C. To transfer cost-effective lithium-ion battery recycling technology to industries and start-ups
D. To increase the import of lithium-ion cells from abroad
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Which of the following metals can be recovered through the lithium-ion battery recycling process described in the essay?
A. Iron, copper, and zinc
B. Lithium, cobalt, manganese, and nickel
C. Lead, mercury, and cadmium
D. Gold, silver, and platinum
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How much lithium-ion battery waste does India generate annually?
A. 10,000 tons
B. 25,000 tons
C. 50,000 tons
D. 100,000 tons
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What is the main environmental benefit of recycling lithium-ion batteries, according to the essay?
A. It reduces the cost of battery manufacturing
B. It conserves valuable resources and reduces mining
C. It increases the import of raw materials
D. It helps in the production of more batteries
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