Post-consumer batteries: a case study of generation and formal disposal in the capital of Paraíba, Brazil

Batteries, part of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), can contain heavy metals which, when disposed of inappropriately, cause damage to human health and the environment. Thus, this study aimed to identify the quantity generated and the disposal flow of post-consumer batteries in João Pessoa (capital of Paraíba), Brazil, to provide information that contributes to the reverse logistics system for this waste in the city. To this end, a mapping of the voluntary drop-off points (PEV) of batteries registered in the Green Eletron was carried out, with a simplified on-site checklist and data collection from a sample of 400 inhabitants, using an online form related to batteries consumed. The results showed that, of the PEV registered, only 19 had active collections, and of these, only 13 had a collector in a visible and easily accessible place. The majority of participants dispose of batteries in household garbage cans (62.6%), rate the provision of disposal information in establishments as poor (50.5%), are unaware of the existence of PEV in the city (67.3%), and are aware of the risks of incorrect disposal and the legal instruments available. However, they report that the lack of battery PEV would be one of the main difficulties for proper disposal; consequently, there are deficiencies in the current management of post-consumer batteries. Some suggestions for improvements to the success of reverse logistics are related to the installation of new PEV with homogeneous distribution and more significant publicity for existing points.