Battery Recycling
Battery Recycling
Battery power plays an essential role in the function of cars, cell phones, cameras, and many other everyday products and items. It is through battery use that the many tools of life are made portable, allowing a multitude of activities to take place. While the technology associated with batteries has improved over the years – they still do not last forever. At some point, users must dispose drained batteries. Over time, a significant problem concerning the environment has developed, leading various organizations to encourage battery-recycling programs in hopes to reduce the waste that comes from improper disposal.
Why Recycle Batteries?
The materials used to create batteries include heavy metals and other elements, such as nickel cadmium, alkaline, mercury, lead acid, and nickel metal hydride. The levels of toxicity linked to these materials pose threats to the environment when discarding in a haphazard manner. The acids contained in batteries are known to pollute bodies of water (especially lakes and streams). Other resources of water and other parts of the environment become disrupted and compromised with the introduction of battery lead and acid. The effects are then felt by surrounding wildlife, trees, plants, pets, and humans.
The strong corrosive acids of batteries cause health problems and present an overall threat to the well being and safety of living things. Sometimes, the materials that make up a battery become part of the food chain, which carries health risks for both animals and humans. Battery acid also causes burns to the skin and affects the eyes. When the public makes it a habit to recycle batteries, a reduction in the above is seen.
Battery Recycling: What and Where
Since not all batteries are the same, there are varying approaches associated with the disposal of each type. For instance, common battery selections seen in the household include nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), button cell, as well as automotive and non-automotive lead-based batteries.
When it comes to household batteries, the most commonly used are the standard AA-, AAA-, and C-type selections that are now made with a minimal amount of mercury. In most cases, they can be disposed of in the garbage. An indiviudal interested in recycling the rest of their household batteries should be on the lookout for options that contain cadmium, mercury, copper, zinc, lead, manganese, nickel and lithium. For example, watch batteries are made with mercury and computer clock batteries contain lithium. Discarded batteries that reach the landfill have the potential to leach into the soil, groundwater, or surface water.
Rechargeable batteries reduce the overall amount of batteries required within a year, and are also recyclable. Many consumers can return these types of batteries to various local stores, such as Radio Shack, Staples, and other neighborhood electronic shops. Searching for locations in your city is as easy as making a phone call to local stores found in the Yellow Pages.
While many auto parts stores or garages expect your old car battery when upgrading to a new one, there are some people who have old car batteries hanging around their yard. Most auto parts stores charge a fee to dispose of old batteries for you, while others gladly take them for free. Auto part stores and garages can also recommend a local battery recycler. It is especially important to properly dispose of car batteries because the corrosive acid within may cause extreme harm when leaked into the wrong places.
With the constant technological advancements associated with cell phones, there are tons of batteries that lose their usefulness and become property of the local landfill. Many cell phone stores now encourage the recycling of this type of battery.
The Process of Recycling Batteries
When a battery faces the recycling process, it is usually broken apart by a machine called a hammermill. The equipment literally hammers the battery into pieces, which are then transported to a vat. The lead and heavy material fall to the bottom, while the plastic rises to the top. The pieces of polypropylene are scraped away and the liquids drained. Left behind is the lead and heavy metals, which are cleaned and melted together in smelting furnaces. The recycled lead is then later used in the manufacturing of lead plates for new batteries, while the sulfuric acid is neutralized into water that is treated to meet clean water standards. The plastic pieces are washed, blown dry and later melted together to become future battery cases.
Overall, depending on the type of battery, there are plenty of resources to seek out for proper disposal. Some of the options to consider include local recycle centers, county and city drop-off locations, curbside pickup, and participating tool shops.
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