Lithium Australia to Boost Fertilizers Via Old Batteries

Lithium Australia, a recycling company is turning old batteries into fertilizers for crops, in an effort to stop them from ending up in landfill. It will soon begin field trials of manganese and zinc supplements extracted from old batteries near Kojnapp in the Greater South Region of Western Australia. This supplement comes from a recyclable alkaline battery, which is a single-use battery that is commonly used in handheld devices such as TV remote remotes and children's toys.

According to a report, the Australian Battery Management Committee estimates that 97% of alkaline batteries in Australia are not recycled. Instead, they end up in ordinary rubbish bins where disposal methods mean the chemicals that provide us with portable power can leak into the soil, causing pollution. And all alkaline batteries are imported. Adrian Griffin, managing director of Lithium Australia, said his company was initially recycling lithium batteries.

But after acquiring another company called Envirostream, they decided to try to reuse alkaline batteries. The Australian Environmental Stream Company recycles various old batteries. Griffin said that used alkaline batteries have almost no value, so there is no incentive to recycle them. However, they do contain manganese oxide and zinc.

"We strive to find a solution for these waste batteries, which is better for the environment and can create more value." He said. "We conclude that manganese and zinc are needed for trace elements nutrients in fertilizers."

"Our plan for repurposing the active components of the spent cells is not only a significant step towards worldwide environmental management of the issue but could also have a powerful influence on the sustainability of disposable batteries," said Griffin. "As such, it is an integral part of Lithium Australia's quest to develop a circular economy for all battery types - which is certainly something society requires," he added.

Furthermore, Envirostream has developed a technology for crushing spent alkaline batteries and using high concentrations of zinc and manganese and trace amounts of graphite and potassium to produce fertilizers supplements. The company conducted greenhouse experiments last year with their alkaline battery mixed metal powders, which contain high concentrations of zinc and manganese extracted from old batteries. Field experiments will be conducted next week on a farm. The land lacks zinc, manganese, and phosphate and has a low pH. Griffin of Lithium Australia said that this is an ideal experiment place.

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