Nowadays, we pay close attention to recycling. Recycling batteries is a growing area. Annually, campaigns are being launched to promote selective recycling. These are promoted in schools,
in the media. When it comes to the battery recycling industry, battery recycling containers are the first thing people get in touch with.
Waste batteries can not be discarded directly to the household wastebasket because they contain environmentally damaging materials. They must be disposed of in special containers for
later recycling. The most common battery recycling containers are the indoor ones.
Indoor battery recycling bins
They can be divided into several categories:
A. Depending on where they are used
B. By type of recycled batteries
C. By type of materials from which they are built
A. Depending on where they are used
1. Indoor battery recycling containers used in households (for home use)
Here are some of the models of containers used to recycle batteries at home:
“Battery test and recycle” container
This battery recycling bin allows the user to check the battery charge before throwing them. It is a smart battery disposal bin that comes with an integrated tester for AA, AAA, C and
D type batteries.
Did you know that: over 30% of the discarded batteries can still be used, yet they still have enough energy to be used in various electronic equipment?
This plastic container for recycling batteries is a very suitable model for home use. It is imprinted with a suggestive message that urges you to recycle batteries in a positive way. It has a lock and key, it is hygienic and easy to clean. Above all, it is
made of recyclable plastic, so it is environmentally friendly.
Battery recycling boxes
These boxes are made of cardboard. This type of battery recycling bin has a low purchase price. There are companies that offer free battery recycling boxes.
These boxes have the battery recycling label on them, specifying what types of batteries can be recycled.
2. Indoor battery containers for commercial centers
It is very likely that you have noticed containers for recycling batteries in shopping centers, big retailers or electronics stores. Battery manufacturers and battery retailers are required
to achieve a minimum collection rate of 25% of the volume of batteries and accumulators placed on the market.
Here are some types of recycling bins that you can find in shopping centers:
3. Indoor battery recycling containers used in electronic shops
Battery trading shops are places where you are most likely to find a container for battery recycling. Typically, these stores encourage customers to bring used batteries for recycling,
giving them a smaller number of new batteries (most often 25% of the number of batteries brought to collection).
Example: For 4 recycled batteries, you get 1 new battery.
4. Battery recycling containers used on stadiums (indoor spaces)
Since the crowded places are the largest garbage producers, including spent batteries, the placement of battery recycling containers is required. Containers must be constructed of resistant
materials, usually of metal.
4. Recycle batteries at work
People spend a great deal of time at work. Therefore, it is highly probable that in these places (office buildings, company headquarters, manufacturing factories, etc.), employees will
need special containers to dispose of spent batteries. Here are some examples of battery recycling containers used in such places:
5. Battery recycling containers used in schools and universities
As I said, any type of community produces waste that can be recycled. The higher the community, the higher the amount of waste. There is no exception for waste batteries and accumulators. Schools, high schools and universitiess are important communities. Selective recycling of batteries is also required in these areas.
Some examples of battery recycling bins used in academic environments:
- battery recycling bin used in a primary school:
- battery recycling bin used in high schools:
- battery recycling bin used in a university:
Libraries should not be neglected either. In these spaces there are containers for collecting batteries.
The presence of battery recycling containers in school and university environments is the first way to educate about recycling.
B. By the type of recycled batteries
Battery Recycling Containers: Disposable Batteries vs. Rechargeable Batteries
- Disposable batteries (or Dry Cell)
Disposable batteries are usually alkaline batteries. In the past, these batteries contained hazardous substances for the environment, but today, due to environmental legislation, manufacturers
produce batteries that contain metals such as zinc (Zn) and magnesium (Mg) that are not harmful to the environment. After the recycling process, these metals can be used in soil fertilizers. (Here you can see how old alkaline batteries are used to grow corn).
But not all disposable batteries are environmentally friendly. Some batteries still contain dangerous metals such as mercury (Hg) in very small quantities (under 2%).
Types of disposable batteries: AAA, AA, C, sub-C, D size cells.
- Rechargeable Batteries
Unlike disposable batteries, rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals that allow them to be recharged multiple times. These heavy metals are harmful to the environment.
Examples of rechargeable batteries:
Batteries for remote control, toys, mobile phones, laptops.
These batteries contain electrode materials and electrolytes such as:
- Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) Batteries: used for cordless phones, tools, transmitter stations
- Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batterie: used for cameras, camcoders or bar code scanners
- Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) & Lithium Polymer: used for laptops and mobile phones
- Lead acid (Pb) Batteries: are used in cars, trucks or emergency lighting
- Button type batteries (Coin & Button Cell Batteries)
This type of battery, as the name says, has the shape of a button or a coin. These batteries are usually used in small electronic equipment: watches, calculators or hearing aids. Zinc
air and silver oxide button batteries have low mercury in their components.
If they were dumped directly into the trash, there is a risk that mercury will get into the environment, contaminating both soil and groundwater. Therefore, the button batteries must
be disposed of in specially designed containers.
This container has a special section for button batteries:
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The upper section is designed to store button batteries.
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If you do not have such a container, collect these batteries separately and go to a local recycling center or a nearby watch store. These stores usually have a special container designed
to recycle button batteries.
C. By type of materials from which they are built
- Indoor container for battery recycling made of plastics
- Indoor container for battery recycling made of metal
- Indoor container for battery recycling made of cardboard
Info section: How Do You Recognize Battery Recycling Containers?
Typically, these containers are labeled with distinctive signs.
Most often a recycling sign is found next to which an image of one or more batteries is located.
Where to buy indoor battery recycling containers?
Here are a few websites where you can buy indoor battery recycling containers:
Glasdon.com sells a wide range of indoor battery containers
Conclusions:
By recycling batteries, we help protect the environment.
Recycling batteries reduces the need to exploit natural resources. This protects the environment, saves energy, reduces the amount of toxic materials resulting from the battery production
process (here we refer to the entire production chain: exploitation of mineral resources, separation of materials, actual production of batteries, delivery of products to shopping centers).
It is our responsibility to recycle used batteries so that they do not reach the landfill or the environment.
