Almost all batteries that are in use pose a great risk to you when not disposed of properly. Disposing of them is vital. That is why many states make it illegal to throw them in the trash. Recycling spent batteries is the only way to completely dispose of the toxic elements. That is why battery recycling is important.

A certified Recycler like Recycle Technologies can help you achieve that. Our recycling facilities are more than capable of handling large and small loads. For business, they can use our dedicated pickup service. Our team will not safely transport your spent batteries but secure them as well.

Why Choose RTI for Battery Recycling?

For us battery recycling is close to our hearts. That is why it is wise to dispose of nickel-cadmium and lead batteries as soon as possible. Keep in mind that the EU has banned cadmium-based batteries since 2009. Regulators are busy trying to get lead batteries banned as well. But since there hasn't been an alternative to them, this activity feels vague. As for the common pollutant, lithium-ion joins the fray. The chemistry for these batteries is toxic at best, the real problem is the volume that concerns us.

In the USA more than 90 % of lead-based batteries are recycled. The automotive industry is paving the way when it comes to recycling these batteries. But they do not care for the environment but mostly for business reasons. The process to recycle these kinds of batteries is simple as the byproduct is reusable lead. With the help of battery recycling, we generate around 50 % reusable lead.

How has RTI made battery recycling easier?

Recycle Technologies have made it easier for you to recycle your batteries. Our mail-in program enables you to send your small batteries from the comfort of your home. To learn more about how you can do that you can click here. That is not all for businesses seeking a way to dispose of their batteries can use our drop-off and pickup facility. The main goal of battery recycling is to prevent toxic materials from entering landfills. But our ulterior motive is to reclaim the materials which help in fabrication. Of new products and lessen our reliance on virgin resources.

It is not wise to store spent batteries in your home. They must be either disposed of, donated, or recycled if you don't want them to become a liability for you. The cells in these batteries are known to leak. They can damage the environment in mere seconds. The lead poles of the battery are harmful so touching them without proper protection can lead to dire consequences. It is best to keep button cells away from children.

What does the battery market tell us about battery recycling?

From a market perspective, lead acid batteries have a huge margin. Consumers use it as a starter battery. NiCd is in second place as this type of battery is most common in the aviation and boating industry. Many of these batteries are in decline as people are moving towards lithium-based batteries. If battery recycling is done properly then using these batteries is all good. Remember each battery that we mention has its separate chemistry as well as its recycling process. It is wise to sort them out if you want to speed up the disposal process.

Batteries That RTI Recycles Responsibly:

 Lead Acid:

Recycling of lead acid started in early 1912. The process to do so is simple and cost-effective in every way possible. This helps us to extract lead multiple times. However, in 2013 with the inclusion of Lion batteries into the market, this became a dangerous process. As you know, Li-ion physical appearance is almost identical to lead batteries.

So, it became apparent that we need to sort them instead of directly disposing of them. Recycle Technologies is busy trying to de-escalate this issue by advocating to residents that battery recycling is crucial for the environment. When stripping Li-ion batteries they are more volatile than lead batteries. For safety reasons, we rely on presorting. Keep in mind Lead acid batteries are toxic but Li-ion batteries are explosive.

 Nickel-cadmium:

When a NiCd battery lands in a landfill, it is prone to leakage. Cadmium dissolves at a faster pace. When it encounters water supply. It is game over for us. Once contamination starts, clean-up crews are helpless to stop the chaos. Using a certified Recycler is your viable option to get rid of these batteries.

 Nickel Metal Hydride:

These kinds of batteries are semi-toxic. Discarding the trash in small quantities is advisable, but you need to check with state and federal regulations if they allow that. Huge quantities of these batteries must be sent to a recycling facility. Recyclers can help you dispose of these batteries. Make their content less toxic for you and your environment.

 Lithium batteries

Lithium batteries are great alkaline replacements. However, it is wise to dispose of them as soon as possible. Throwing them in a landfill can expose their internal organs and can start a fire. Keep in mind that extinguishing landfill fires is harder than you expected. It is wise to discharge these kinds of batteries before recycling them. Battery Recycling is a complicated process for recyclers. We make sure you breathe clean air.

 Li-ion batteries:

Li-ion batteries might seem harmless, but it all depends on their disposal. Recycling them helps lessen the harm the toxic materials might do. Their toxicity levels are the same as e-waste. For this reason, Li-on batteries in Europe do not enter a landfill. They are explosive. Cobalt is a major concern. This makes the li-ion battery the most toxic.

A 33 kWh Li-ion battery of a BMW vehicle includes 2 kg of cobalt, 6 kg of lithium, and 12 kg of manganese and nickel respectively. Don’t forget you also get 35 kg of graphite. Anything we recover will not be of high quality. But something is better than nothing. The battery recycling process involves the complete discharge of the spent li-ion batteries.

Several treatments can properly dispose of Li-ion batteries. This includes mechanical, pyro-metallurgical, and hydrometallurgical.

Alkaline Batteries:

Batteries containing mercury are dangerous. These batteries can be disposed of in the trash. But you have no confirmation if they will enter a landfill. Why take that chance? Your best solution would be to use a certified recycling facility to get the job done. Mercury batteries are considered a hazardous waste in the EU.  Recycle Technologies collects spent batteries and recycles them efficiently. We also recycle large lithium batteries. You can expect the use of Li-ion batteries to become common in the next 5–6 years.

Conclusion

Battery Recycling will become a common thing as well.  Before these spent batteries become a nuisance for us and our environment. It is best to recycle them as fast as we can. To give you an idea, Battery Recycling is an energy-intensive process. New recycling methods such as electrolysis can help strengthen the whole battery recycling process. This will give a boost to the circular economy in a way you can’t decipher.