What Happens to Recycled Batteries?
Disposing of batteries can be a tricky process when dangerous materials are a concern. The impact that battery disposal has on the environment can also be an important point to remember when getting rid of battery waste, so anyone who would like to get rid of old batteries should understand the disposal process and know where to properly recycle batteries.
Proper Battery Recycling Procedures
The first step in battery recycling is ensuring that a battery is properly disposed of once it has lost its charge. Many households simply throw old batteries in the household garbage can, but this is a practice that is both wasteful and potentially dangerous if non-alkaline batteries are involved.
Batteries that are no longer able to power a device still have a small amount of charge left in them, so it is important to avoid disposing of more than one battery in the same waste receptacle at the same time. This is most important to remember in regards to alkaline batteries, which can be disposed of in household trashcans.
The chemicals present in any other type of battery makes it essential to properly recycle them for safety reasons. Research recycling centers in the area to find one that is equipped to accept batteries in order to properly dispose of batteries in a way that allows them to be reused for minimal impact on the environment. The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) notes that many battery retailers allow customers to return used batteries for recycling purposes.
Anyone who is struggling to find a battery recycling location can visit the website of the non-profit Corporation for Battery Recycling (CBR) for more information.
The Battery Recycling Process
The process of taking an old battery and utilizing leftover resources to make recycled batteries varies according to the exact type of battery that is being recycled, but the process remains similar for all types of batteries.
Batteries that are sent to be recycled are taken apart so that any usable resources can be extracted. Chemicals and metals that can be reused are separated in a mill, and plastic parts are melted down in order to be repurposed. The most common resource recovered from recycled batteries is lead.
A New Life for Recycled Batteries
Lead that has been separated during the recycling process is typically sent to battery manufacturers to be used to produce new batteries. Any sulfuric acid that is recovered throughout the recycling process is able to be treated and reused in a variety of products ranging from glass to laundry detergents.
The greatest benefit that is realized when batteries are recycled is the opportunity to help the environment through the use of fewer resources. Recycling is the best way to dispose of batteries that no longer power electronics, so take used batteries to a recycling facility that is authorized to handle batteries in order to eliminate health hazards associated with battery waste and minimize environmental impacts.
