I’m writing you in regard to battery recycling. I was wondering how batteries are recycled, to be  more specific as to how the process works for recycling used battery cores. Thank you in advance for your time, I love your site!

Recycle

Bestbatterytips.com

Fred, batteries are collected and sent to a facility that will send the used battery cores through a 3 step process.

1) Separate Material

2) Melt Lead and Plastic

3) Neutralize Battery Acid

Step 1-After the used batteries are collected, they are sent to a recycling facility for sorting and processing. The used batteries are then put into a machine called a (Hammer Mill) which shreds or crushes the used batteries into small pieces about the size of pocket change.The small pieces that are left from being shredded and crushed are placed into a tank with solution in it. Once inside the tank the different densities of the small pieces cause some to sink which would be the lead parts of the battery. On the flip side there is small pieces that will float which would be your hard rubbers and plastic parts of the battery. Last but not least your liquid goes into a separate vat. Once this process is complete the materials are treated on a individual bases.

Step 2- The lead that is collected from step 1 inside the tank is sent to a furnace where it is melted and poured into molds.These molds are called (Ingot Molds) and can weigh as much as 2000 pounds. When the lead is still hot in the molds they skim the dross off, which is the impurities in the lead. Once this is complete and the lead cools, it is then sent back to battery manufacturers to produce new batteries. The plastic pieces are washed and dried where they are then sent to a plastic recycling facility. Like all plastics they are put into a extruder which melts the plastics. They then cut the plastic into smaller pieces which are then sent back to battery manufacturers for reuse. The rubber pieces cannot be recycled and are used for a additive to a melting process.

Step 3- The battery acid can and will be reused. They add a neutralizing agent to the battery acid which turns the solution into a water and salt compound. The salt is used to make more battery acid. The water under goes extensive testing and when requirements are met sent into sewer systems.

NOTE:

Here at Bestbatterytips.com we want to encourage everyone to help our environment and recycle.

Junk Batteries

The Wii Controller

Energizer Rechargeable AA

Getting tired of your kids asking you to change the batteries in their video game controllers? Video game controllers can seem like they eat batteries like the cookie monster ate cookies. Why not save the environment, and save your self some green. Rechargeable batteries are a excellent invest for video gamers. Certain video game wireless controllers burn through batteries faster than others. Playstation 3 is rated worst with struggling to last 18 and a half hours. The WII comes in second lasting 36 hours and 30 minutes. Hard to believe, that’s double the distance of the playstation 3. The X-Box 360 cleans house at lasting the longest. The 360 was able to withstand 57 hours of gaming before falling on its face. Lets look at the cost of rechargeable batteries vs alkaline batteries. Lets also keep in mind that with the Playstation 3 we will need to buy batteries or recharge every 18 hours of play. Energizer sells 4 AA batteries and a 15 minute quick charger for $29.00. You can buy a pack of 4 energizer alkaline batteries for right at 5 dollars a pack. All of the above listed video game controllers require batteries in pairs. Gamers on average play their video game consoles 2 to 4 hours daily. Gamers that play 2 hours a day will need to replace or recharge on day 9. Gamers who play up to 4 hours a day will need to buy or recharge every 4 and a half days. You can start to see the savings in rechargeable batteries even if you don’t like the initial expense of them. The minimum 2 hour gamer will have to replace or recharge 3 times a month. On the other hand, the demanding gamer will have to replace or recharge almost 7 times a month. Now lets look at the invest in rechargeable batteries over alkaline batteries. The minimum gamer will spend 15 dollars a month for alkaline batteries. The demanding gamer will spend upwards of 35 dollars a month in alkaline batteries. Remember the cost of the 15 minute quick charger with 4 AA rechargeable batteries included? The minimum gamer has a 2 month pay off where as the demanding gamer is less than a month. We would like to add that when 2 people play your expense doubles!

• NiMH batteries pose less threat to the environment as they do not contain the heavy metal cadmium
• May be charged up to 1,000 times for years of battery power; use only NiMH rechargers

Why not go green, and save some green as well!!!

Recycle

Save Some Green