In the current period, batteries provide power to a variety of devices we use daily, but it is very common where even the longest-lasting batteries to lose their power or fail to hold a required charge. What should you do with them when their time is up? Even though batteries energize everything from your mobile device to your vehicle to the watch on your wrist, many consumers are unsure about best practices for used battery recycling. That is why battery recycling is more important now than ever before to maintain the sustainability of the environment in the future.
Important characteristics like high energy, endurance, performance, high power density, and the ability to stay charged for a long period, have made these batteries popular across the world. The majority of the batteries include chemicals like sulfuric acid, lithium, cadmium, or lead. Irrespective of the type of battery being disposed of like a small alkaline battery, car battery, or cell phone battery it is crucial to follow the proper recycling process. Improper battery disposal leads to electronic waste (E-waste) which is comprised of toxic substances.
This waste is known to have a negative environmental impact, polluting soil, water, and air. In case, there is a failure to take steps toward safe recycling, the decayed batteries can pollute the environment in various harmful ways. These chemicals can harm plant life and wildlife. Even, end up creating a problem in food and water supplies. Beyond pollution to nature, batteries carry a fire risk when placed in the trash or at an illegal dump site.
Furthermore, they have a key role and will likely prove to be even more important in the future, as electric vehicles (EVs) electric motorcycles, buses, or trucks are bound to replace conventional motor engines, further driving the demand for high-density lithium-ion batteries.
Battery Types Basic Guide
Here we enlisted some basic types of batteries for basic knowledge before you start looking for ways to dispose of your batteries. Due to this, it becomes important to know which kind you’re dealing with. Although all batteries should be handled with care, recycling lead batteries is often different from industrial battery recycling, and so on. Different types you might encounter include:
- Primary– This category includes AA, AAA, 9-volt, D-cell, and button cell batteries. They are generally non-rechargeable and are used in common household items.
- Nickel-cadmium– NiCad batteries are rechargeable and can be reused up to 1,000 times. These are usually used in cordless household items and digital cameras.
- Nickel metal hydride– NiMH batteries are used in high-drain household systems because of their high quality along with rechargeability.
- Lead acid– As the original rechargeable batteries, lead acid batteries are used in workstation vehicles. They are highly toxic, but there are many options available for recycling them.
- Lithium-ion– Popular nowadays, lithium-ion batteries power items such as laptops and tablets, as well as electric vehicles.
It is important to consider that rechargeable watches, and car batteries must be recycled due to the number of toxic chemicals and heavy metals they carry within them. However, primary batteries which are more seen everywhere contain chemicals that are much less of a threat. These are the smaller batteries that operate devices such as remotes, clocks, toys, and flashlights. However, this type should still be recycled to prevent unnecessary chemical and other pollution, there are far fewer laws regulating primary battery recycling than for industrial or rechargeable battery processes.
Now that we know the importance of recycling batteries. Let us have a look at its benefits.
Major Benefits Of Battery Recycling:
- Recycling will help recover expensive and limited materials like Nickel and Cobalt. Li-ion batteries have concentrations of manganese, lithium, along with nickel, and cobalt. When properly recycled, these materials can be reused to produce new batteries, avoiding new mining requirements.
- It helps to reduce electronic waste from ending up in trash or landfills which takes much area of land in return.
- Most importantly, it helps overcome the challenges of illegal mining, environmental harm, and human rights abuses. Recycling Li-ion batteries would also aid in reducing the dependency on these materials, improving the security of the supply chain, and reducing the human and environmental impact brought by these batteries.
Check For A Battery Recycling Center Near Your Location
It can be challenging to find the right place to dispose of your batteries. When done thorough research one can check that there are several ways to find a battery drop-off point that is suitable for your purpose. Use the local government website or a drop-off point locator to find a site in the vicinity. Keep in mind to check in advance with your recycling site ahead of time to ensure it accepts the type of battery that is to be disposed of. Find a proper battery disposal services company that carries all the other e-waste recycling activities too. More recycling would mean less dependency on natural raw materials and minimal environmental harm. The recycling activity must be carried out by an authorized recycler adhering to all global recycling standards.
So, start recycling all types of batteries today, for a greener tomorrow for all!