{"id":2202604,"date":"2023-10-31T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2202604"},"modified":"2023-10-30T15:03:10","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T06:03:10","slug":"south-koreas-ev-battery-waste-redesignation-prospects-and-hurdles-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/10\/south-koreas-ev-battery-waste-redesignation-prospects-and-hurdles-ahead\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea\u2019s EV battery waste redesignation: Prospects and hurdles ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korea\u2019s Ministry of Environment <\/span>unveiled plans<\/span><\/a> on Monday to reclassify waste batteries from electric vehicles (EVs), alongside waste paper, scrap metal and other select materials, as \u201crecyclable resources.\u201d This 20-day administrative notification, starting from Oct. 31, means these items will no longer be deemed merely as waste and will principally be exempt from the <\/span>Waste Control Act<\/span><\/a>. For a waste item to earn this status, it should neither harm human health nor the environment and hold tradeable economic value to prevent neglect. Starting next year, the ministry will proactively designate recyclable resources without awaiting business applications, introducing the \u201cRecyclable Resource Designation and Announcement System\u201d alongside the current procedure.<\/span><\/p>\n Specifically, EV waste batteries will be classified as recyclable only when they show no signs of immersion, fire or deformation, or other damages that could lead to hazardous leaks or potential fire risks. Additionally, the batteries must be restored to their original performance without disassembling the cells or remanufactured into products such as energy storage systems (ESS) or emergency power supply devices. Registration on the <\/span>Recyclable Resource Information Center<\/span><\/a> is mandatory before creation or use, and any exports must adhere to the <\/span>Act On The Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/b><\/p>\n The move to redesignate EV waste batteries as \u201crecyclable resources\u201d marks a step toward sustainable waste management and positions the ROK as a frontrunner in tackling environmental challenges associated with the rise of electric vehicles. Beyond aligning with global sustainability objectives, recategorizing these batteries can potentially reduce the country\u2019s reliance on <\/span>resource imports, especially from China<\/span><\/a>, by maximizing the use of domestically sourced waste materials. Further, it could stimulate the domestic recycling industry, driving a more circular economy. The trade prospects for these batteries, coupled with the incentive to innovate in battery reuse and remanufacturing, could further bolster the country\u2019s economic growth.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the specific criteria that batteries must meet to be considered recyclable \u2014 no signs of damage, immersion, or risk of harmful leaks \u2014 mean that not all batteries will qualify. The administrative and compliance burden on businesses, from registration to export regulations, might also slow the recycling process. Further, the need to ensure batteries are reused or remanufactured without disassembly could limit the range of recycling methods available.<\/span><\/p>\n