廃電池の排出動態とリサイクルの現状分析

Abstract

日本における使用済み小形電池の回収方法とその実態を把握し、回収リサイクル検討に向けた基礎的知見を得ることを目的に、小形電池の同収率を推定した後、使用済み小形電池に関する自治体収集分類等に関する調査、消費者アンケー卜、小型家電製品からの小形電池取り外し実態調査を行った。その結果、日本における小型電池の回収率は26%と推定され、特に二次電池等は低く、欧州各国と比較しでも向上の余地があると考えられた。また自治体における収集分類等は自治体および電池間で統一されておらず、必要な情報発信も不十分と考えられた。小型家電製品からの小型電池取り外し実態に関する調査からは、特に二次電池を利用する小型家電製品についてほとんど電池が取り外されずに捨てられていることが明らかとなった。これらの背景としてはアンケー卜調査より消費者の情報・認知不足や負担感が示唆され、検討を要する点が抽出された。

The objective of this study was to acquire the fundamental knowledge needed to establish environmentally friendly systems for the collection and recycling of small batteries in Japan. We determined the recovery rate of small batteries, investigated the collection classifications made by local governments for used small batteries, conducted a consumer questionnaire and also a survey on small batteries removed from small home electric appliances. The collection rate for small batteries in Japan was found to be approximately 26%, with the rate for rechargeable batteries being especially low. Room for improvement was noted after we did a comparison with collection rates in European countries. Also, the collection classification systems being used by local governments is not unified between offices: types of batteries and required information on local government websites is considered to be insufficient. An investigation into what happens to small batteries that are removed from small home electric appliances revealed that most of the appliances using rechargeable batteries are disposed of by consumers with the batteries still in s ide. Results of the questionnaires reveal that there is a shortage of consumer information and awareness, as well as an overall feeling of burden among consumers. We determine that further discussions will be required to solve the problem of disposal and recycling of small, used batteries.