This is a full version of NEA’s reply issued to the media agency; published in The Straits Times, 13 April 2020.
1 We refer to Mr Bachan Singh’s letter “More questions on used electric car batteries” (3 Apr, pB6).
2 Hybrid and electric car batteries contain mostly iron, copper and aluminium, and can be properly treated and recycled with the right technology. They also contain lithium and cobalt, that can be extracted using commercially available technologies adopted by e-waste recyclers. All e-waste recyclers must have the necessary pollution control equipment to meet NEA’s emissions and discharge standards.
3 Lithium-ion batteries are not hazardous, while nickel metal hydride batteries are hermetically sealed to prevent materials within the batteries from escaping into the environment. In the case of nickel metal hydride batteries, after they are dismantled, any nickel waste must be collected and disposed of by a licensed Toxic Industrial Waste Collector under the Environmental Public Health (Toxic Industrial Waste) Regulations.
4 For further enquiries, members of the public are encouraged to write in directly to us at www.nea.gov.sg/corporate-functions/feedback.
Desmond Tan
Director, Waste and Resource Management Department
National Environment Agency (NEA)