Thailand develops project to recycle end-of-life vehicles

Other BRICS countries are also actively developing waste recycling and introducing environmentally friendly technologies for the reuse of resources.

The Brazilian government has launched a new national programme designed to develop waste recycling and support those involved in waste collection and sorting, according to the country’s government website. Collectors and specialised cooperatives will be provided with equipment and fair pay for their work. An allocation of US$1.9 million has been made to launch the programme. Plans also include the development of digital tools designed to facilitate selective waste collection and the sale of recycling certificates.

Meanwhile, Russia is pushing ahead with the creation of new infrastructure for the recycling of construction and demolition waste. As part of the national Ecological Well-being project, ten specialised facilities are set to be commissioned by 2030, designed to process materials such as concrete, glass and metal. According to the website of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, some projects will incorporate advanced technologies, such as low-temperature pyrolysis, to improve resource recovery.

Chinese scientists have developed a method for recycling end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, which allows valuable materials to be returned to circulation. The cathodes are ground to bring the lithium atoms to the surface, then the material is placed in water and carbon dioxide is passed through it. The resulting hydrogen ions react with the lithium, converting it into a lithium bicarbonate solution. Other metals, such as nickel and cobalt, remain in the solid residue and, after the lithium has been extracted, are transformed into a highly efficient catalyst suitable for industry, water and air purification, or fuel cells, reports China Daily, a partner of TV BRICS.