Potential Possibilities of Raw Materials Recovery from Waste Batteries and Accumulators on the Example of Poland

Abstract

The paper assesses the possibilities of metallic raw materials recovery from batteries and accumulators in Poland. On the basis of available data on the amount of waste generated (CIEP, Statistics Poland), production volume as well as literature review in the field of technological recovery and verification with recyclers, an estimation of the amount of recoverable metals was calculated, at the present time and over a dozen or so years. Assumptions were adopted that in line with the concept of a circular economy, activities in the field of recycling and obtaining metals from waste will be supported in Poland. It is realistic because in January 2019 a new National Intelligent Specialization – The Circular Economy - water, fossil raw materials, waste was created. Moreover, for a few years there has been a broad discussion on the implementation of the State's Raw Materials Policy, in which obtaining raw materials from waste is also planned. In addition, within EU policy there has been already implemented a strong policy support in both batteries production and recovery, therefore the EU activities and policy have also presented.