Why Standby Systems does not sell Lithium technology batteries (at this time)

Currently, emergency power backup import houses and their “experts” are springing up everywhere, importing and unscrupulously installing lithium-based battery products for UPS and PV solar applications, without any consideration for end-of-life disposal, by way of environmentally friendly 100% recycling and NOT by dumping it, poisoning our environment even further.

Yes, their argument is valid. The product can be broken down locally, and contents such as plastic components separated for recycling; however, there is currently no place in Africa that will recycle for 100% re-use. The only solution is to dispose of the highly toxic metals that these batteries contain.

Lithium has dreadful environmental impacts. In the mining of the ore, massive amounts of very dangerous chemicals are used. Cobalt is linked to gross violation of human rights, including child labour, from its primary mining source in the DRC, producing over 70% of the world’s Cobalt. Manganese and Nickel are also highly toxic and used in Lithium technology batteries.

On the other hand, lead-acid products are 100% recyclable here in SA at various recycling plants that pay you for your expired Pb battery product according to the ruling lead price per tone.

There is absolutely no added technical benefit in using a Lithium battery product in a UPS system other than for cycling applications for which a UPS is not intended anyway.?A UPS is intended to carry the load for short periods while the backup generator starts or buy time while the load is safely shut down.?It is not meant to discharge for several hours. A UPS is very limited in its battery voltage range within which it can work, thereby negating the Lithium battery advantages of a very wide voltage operational range. Solar inverters work within a wide range of voltages, making using Lithium attractive at the expense of the environmental impact hazard it brings to South Africa.

When a battery is expired, it is considered hazardous waste. Lead-acid products can be used in all applications from UPS to solar PV and are not a problem at all for local use with easy 100% recycling. To ethically and adequately recycle Lithium batteries involves the following process:

·??????Have them discharged to zero volts by a specialist at a huge cost.

·??????Package them in special hazardous waste packaging.

·??????Ship them back overseas in a hazardous shipping container, which many shipping lines will not carry.

This results in a massive additional cost for the user’s account because the original battery and inverter supplier is long gone, has changed names, or hides behind paperwork as they are just an import house, and it is all about money. These costs generally far exceed the original lithium battery purchase price and are felt many years later.

?According to the Green Economy Research report that was done for the department of environmental affairs in SA, “... There is no?recycling?facility in?South Africa?for LIBs (Some attempts were made in the past (e.g., Uniross with Pick n Pay) to?recycle?general?battery?waste.”

A further publication by the department of environmental affairs reveals a startling truth, “How are SDCBs currently managed in South Africa? In South Africa, SDCBs are currently managed through disposal to landfills.”

A project was conducted in North Africa to establish the viability of sending Lithium batteries from Africa to the EU for recycling; the following significant challenges were noted:

·??????Collecting enough batteries for a reasonable pilot.

·??????The danger of storing and shipping lithium-ion batteries across borders.

·??????Following Basel Convention notification procedures with the lithium-ion batteries.

·??????The expenses associated with safely shipping lithium-ion batteries across borders.

?Some recent pilot projects are underway with regards to recycling lithium-ion battery waste. Still, all involve shipping overseas at huge expense, as there are currently no safe disposal recycling plants in South Africa for 100% recycling of Lithium-based battery products.

The obstacles of safe battery disposal are highlighted further in this article by Waste360, “Barriers to entry exist in nearly every market, some more than others. For e-waste, these obstacles could be significant as the transportation of hazardous waste from one country to another presents a myriad of risks and hazards.”

?Once batteries end up in landfills, they cause significant environmental pollution of the earth and groundwater. Our lackadaisical attitude and ignorance of the fact that the Lithium batteries we buy today will end up in a landfill will result in environmental disasters in the future.

?Therefore, as a company, we at Standby Systems feel it is highly unethical and not patriotic to South Africa, its people, and the environment to promote and sell Lithium battery products into all industries for many uses, knowing the eventual result.

?“Discarded batteries eventually degrade and corrode, leaking their toxic chemicals into our earth and groundwater. We live on a planet with limited resources and limited space.” According to Uniross.

?We trust that you understand the dangers of using Lithium battery products in South Africa for our environment and future generations. Don’t use Lithium batteries until they are 100% recyclable in South Africa, offering a scrap buyback at end of life, as lead-acid products currently do, so they don’t go to the landfills and poison our environment.

?ELITE LEAD ACID BATTERY PRODUCTS ARE 100% RECYCLABLE IN SOUTH AFRICA

For more information please contact Standby Systems. We offer Elite Batteries, DC Max Batteries, Upsel Batteries and many other recyclable, high performance battery brands.(