China’s first recycling processing plant for used batteries is now near completion in Yixian county in north China’s Hebei Province.
Upon operation in June, the plant, with a total cost of 7.8 million yuan, will be able to handle 3,000 tons of used dry cells annually.
The plant is jointly funded by Beijing University of Science and Technology and Yixian County. With technology developed by Professor Zeng Pingrong at the university, the plant will recover all the materials from the used cells and cause little pollution.
Director Du Lanzhu of the plant, however, voiced concern about a possible inadequate supply of waste cells, which would endanger the normal operation of the plant.
Since benefits of the plant count upon the free provision of processing materials, Du therefore calls on all social forces to support the collection of waste cells in order to guarantee smooth operation.
(People’s Daily 05/21/2001)
