Battery Recycling Project - Phase 1
Battery set, part of the hybrid solar system in Moïssala, ChadAim
The battery usage within the MSF movement has increased significantly in the last decade and is foreseen to increase even more in the coming years (especially li-ion batteries). According to MSF Logistique, one of MSF's European Supply Centers, close to 3,500 batteries were sent to MSF Operational Center Paris (OCP) missions between 2008-2021. However, because batteries can be sourced from many different places and often come embedded in other devices, such as laptops and solar panels, this number likely only paints a partial picture.
In 2021-2022, after a request from OCP, the MSF Sweden Innovation Unit (SIU) reviewed how different types of batteries are used in MSF projects to better understand their lifecycle and what happens with them after use. The rational of Battery Recycling project is to investigate how MSF can improve the management of all kinds of batteries at a project level.
SIU's mixed-method review of MSF's battery usage and disposal practices found that the lack of a clear process for the battery life cycle within MSF can pose barriers to the organization's energy transition ambitions and potentially cause harm to both humans and the environment.
As part of the first project phase, which came to an end in June 2022, the SIU team developed clear proposals for new battery disposal best practices and processes. The project will be further developed and taken forward by OCP during the second half of 2022.
Status
INITIATION
Completed.
DEVELOPMENT
Upcoming.
IMPLEMENTATION
Upcoming.
Stakeholders
MSF Sweden Innovation Unit
MSF Operational Centre Paris (OCP)
Funding
MSF Sweden Innovation Unit
MSF Operational Centre Paris (OCP)
Contact
Louis Potter, Innovation Advisor