Waste lead-acid batteries accounted for 83% (470,000 tons) of the licensed waste imported into the country in 2015, which was the largest percentage of imported waste in Korea. In addition, there is the problem of negligent management or waste circulation related to international conventions. Therefore, it is necessary to grasp the current status of domestic recycling management and the management of waste batteries. In this study, the current status of domestic and foreign management of waste lead-acid batteries, which is the largest component of imported waste, was investigated. In addition, we examined the import/export regulations, inadequate management or distribution of waste related to international treaties such as the Basel Convention and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) regulations, and the problem of appropriate treatment management, especially considering waste lead-acid batteries. We studied the proper management method and system for waste lead-acid batteries treatment in Korea, and investigated and compared domestic and foreign laws and treatment guidelines for domestic waste, including those for imported and exported waste. We established a safe resource waste-recycling management system to help the utilization of the basic data necessary for waste management law and business support in relation to international treaties.

In South Korea, as the price of natural minerals and lack of domestic resources increases, the import of waste into certain countries is gradually increasing. The largest portion of waste subject to a domestic import permit are lead-acid batteries. They account for more than 90% of the total import permits. In this study, the current status of waste leadacid batteries imported into Korea and their recycling status at domestic battery recycling sites were investigated. Waste generated from various lead-acid battery recycling plants were investigated for effective management of these batteries in South Korea. In addition, hazardous substances in the waste generated at recycling sites were analyzed to determine their environmental risk. Study sources were selected based on the industries registered on the Allbaro-system. For leaching analysis results, an arsenic content of 30.4 mg/L (1.63 to 109.13) was detected in slag, and 0.018 mg/L (N.D. to 0.018) of mercury was detected in wastewater treatment sludge. The contents of lead in slag and wastewater-treated sludge were measured as 85,599 mg/kg (52,476.4 to 150,466.8) and 41,722 mg/kg (18,082.6 to 68,958.1), respectively. In battery case scrap that was recycled by a second recycling company, lead was found to be 5.79 mg/L, exceeding the designated waste criteria of 3 mg/L. However, after the washing process, lead was no longer detected in the recycled product, P2. We conclude that it is necessary to keep the current secondary recycling process, with recycling after the cleaning process, in order to allow primary recycling companies to appropriately manage designated waste as it is discharged, collected, and transported.