Why and How Batteries are Recycled
Why and How Batteries are Recycled
Why and How Batteries are Recycled
People have often taken the invention of batteries for granted, failing to realize the threat unrecycled batteries poses to the environment. It is important that batteries are properly disposed in order to prevent the health and ecological risks it might deliver. Though the recycling processes overlap many similarities, batteries are sorted out and recycled based on its composition and the potential hazard it delivers.
Recycling Batteries: The Basics
The process begins by sorting the batteries based on its chemistries. With most recycling facilities, a thermal oxidizer is first used to remove combustible substances such as plastic and insulation. It is then neutralize of the pollutants created during this process thereby leaving the metal body of the battery (Buchmann, n.d.). The metallic cells are cut into smaller pieces and heated until the metal liquefies. Non-metallic matters are burned, which leaves a black substance to float around the working area that eventually be removed (Buchmann, n.d.). Chemicals are neutralized which makes it more than safe to be deposited into the water system. The metals recycled are then collected and sent to factories which can be used to make new batteries.
Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal-Hydride and Lithium Ion Batteries
These batteries are prominently used in motorized equipments, power tools, medical instruments, and toys. If not properly disposed, it can dissolve itself into the environment and the chemical substances can assimilate into our water supply and cause health problems (Buchmann, n.d.). Nickel Cadmium is recycled through High-Temperature Metal Reclamation (HTMR) process where the metals needing high temperature to melt are fed in the furnace, which solidifies the materials.
Car Batteries
A typical lead-acid automotive battery undergoes more steps to its recycling process. It starts by placing the batteries into a machine called the hammermill, which crushes the batteries into small nickel-sized pieces (How Car Batteries are Recycled, n.d.). The pieces are placed in a reservoir which causes the lead to sink, the rubber and plastic to float, and the battery acid to go into a solution which neutralizes it. The material are then separated and treated individually (How Car Batteries are Recycled, n.d. ). The lead and plastic are melted separately, its impurities taken out, and moulded for future usage.
Button Cells Batteries
Button cells containing mercury are often processed using a vacuum-thermal treatment in which the mercury vaporizes and eventually solidifies when temperatures are reduced (Nevison, 2010).
Alkaline/Zinc Carbon/Zinc Air Batteries
These batteries are placed in furnaces to melt. The zinc are burned off and placed in a vacuumed container to be used in the future. The metal products are used to make low end metal products(End Sites Recycling Processes, n.d.).
Lithium Batteries
These are one of the most environmentally friendly batteries since it contains no cadmium or mercury. After being shredded into pieces, they portions are sank into a basic solution that balances the pH of the material. The carbon is collected and pressed into sheets. The lithium is transformed into a white powder called lithium carbonate used to make metal and foil for the batteries (End Sites Recycling Processes, n.d.).
Mercury Batteries
Mercury Batteries are recycled using controlled temperature. Because of the extreme environmental hazard it poses, the Mercury-Containing Rechargeable Battery Management Act of 1966 lessened its use in the industry. They were the ideal battery for watches, calculators, and hearing aids (End Sites Recycling Processes, n.d.).
In conclusion, it is extremely important to put the effort to recycle used batteries. Many stores such as Ikea, Tiger Direct, most hardware stores and almost all battery suppliers supply disposal boxes for battery recycling. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) is also promoting the Call2Recycle program which offers 30,000 recycling drop off points in North America.
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