Battery recycling is one of the most critical aspects of environmental management, mainly because of the toxic substances they contain.

In Cyprus, the NGO AFIS Cyprus manages the collecting, transporting and handling of household dry cell batteries weighing up to 2kg, aiming to protect the environment and recover valuable materials. Whether we systematically recycle our batteries or occasionally, most of us are aware of the organisation, since we have likely encountered an AFIS bin (over 6,000 bins nationwide). What we do not know, however, is where the empty batteries we throw into the AFIS recycling bins, end up.

In fact, AFIS Cyprus collects, transports and handles empty batteries through a rigorous, multi-phase process, as detailed below.

When a battery recycling bin is about 80 per cent full, the AFIS collection crews are notified by the proprietors of the premises where the bin is located, and they proceed to empty it, collecting all the used batteries. The batteries are transported in specialised vehicles to a licensed facility (for sorting and temporary storage) in Cyprus, where light sorting takes place to remove foreign materials. The batteries are then temporarily stored in secure areas until they are shipped abroad for further processing.

Since Cyprus does not have a specialised battery recycling and processing facility, the collected quantities are sent by ship to a licensed management facility in Greece, adhering to strict safety protocols.

At these facilities, the batteries undergo specialised recycling processes that include:

  • Mechanical sorting: separating plastics, metals, and chemicals
  • Shredding: breaking the batteries into smaller pieces for easier processing
  • Chemical separation: using chemical processes to recover valuable metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and lead

The materials resulting from recycling are of significant value. For example:

  • Lithium: used in new batteries and electric vehicles
  • Cobalt and nickel: used in manufacturing lithium-ion batteries
  • Lead: reused in lead-acid batteries
  • Copper and aluminium: recycled for various industrial uses

Recycling reduces the extraction of new raw materials and strengthens the circular economy, offering economic benefits such as reduced production costs and the creation of new jobs.

Proper battery management reduces pollution from toxic materials like mercury and cadmium, which can contaminate soil and water. At the same time, recycling reduces CO₂ emissions, as the energy required for recycling is less than that needed to produce new materials.

AFIS Cyprus ensures that the batteries end up in certified recycling facilities that meet European standards. The recycling processes are closely monitored, and certificates and reports are issued to ensure transparency and traceability.

The numbers don’t lie

By October 2024, AFIS had collected 70,035 kg of batteries, marking a 2.4-per cent increase compared to 2023. Since the organisation’s establishment, a total of 911,383 kg of batteries have been recycled, demonstrating the importance of recycling for Cyprus and the environment.

Despite these impressive numbers, the organisation is not resting on its laurels, and aims to further increase recycling in 2025 with new awareness campaigns and public information initiatives. They also plan to expand the collection network by placing specialised bins in new locations to make battery recycling easier for citizens.

Battery recycling in Cyprus is an environmental necessity, and an example of cooperation and responsibility that benefits future generations.