The Cycle of Battery Disposal and Recycling

When your battery finally kicks the bucket, there’s only one thing you can do: recycle it. Eventually, even your rechargeable batteries will die, and proper disposal is key to making sure that the battery fluid doesn’t leak and damage the environment or harm humans. The follow is an overview of how the battery disposal process in Jefferson, WI works, and why it’s so important to safely dispose of your batteries.

Why safe battery disposal is so important

No matter what kind of battery you’re using, whether AAs in your remote control, your button watch battery or car and industrial batteries, you need to recycle them at the end of their lifespan. This is primarily because the batteries are filled with toxic chemicals and heavy metals like sulfuric acid, cadmium, lead and lithium. If the batteries leak, they can soak into the ground and poison the groundwater supply, which has a devastating effect on ecosystems.

There’s also the possibility that batteries can short circuit and overheat, thereby causing a fire—whether that’s on your property or in a landfill, the consequences can be quite unpleasant. For these reasons, it’s illegal nearly everywhere to throw your batteries in the trash, and many states have developed programs to make it easier for consumers to recycle batteries safely and responsibly.

How batteries are recycled

When batteries are recycled, they’re broken down into their components, including spent sulfuric acid, scrap plastic and lead alloys. Each component is sorted and collected, then sent off to be recycled separately.

Sulfuric acid, for example, can either be neutralized or used in chemical or fertilizer production, while the lead and plastic are recycled for other products that require those materials.

Disposing of your batteries

The battery recycling process in Jefferson, WI might be easier than you think, especially when it comes to household batteries. Check your local city laws and regulations to see if there’s a local recycling program in your community—some waste management companies offer battery recycling when you place a bag of batteries on top of your recycling cans, for example. Car batteries can be taken back to an auto parts store or mechanic for safe disposal (call first to make sure they accept used batteries). Electronics stores often accept batteries and e-waste for recycling, so they could be an option in your area. For industrial batteries, call your retailer and find out where you can recycle your batteries once they’ve reached the end of their useful lifespan.

Do you need help completing your end of the battery recycling process in Jefferson, WI? Remis Power Systems Inc. not only offers industrial battery solutions for our clients, but we can also provide you with battery recycling or disposal solutions, complete with a certificate of responsible destruction. Trust us with all your battery needs—we have four decades of experience in staying on top of battery technology and innovations. Reach out to us today to find out more about what we can do for you. We look forward to assisting you soon.

Categorised in: Battery Recycling and Disposal

This post was written by Writer