Recycle

Every year Consumers in the United States alone purchase close to 3 billion dry cell batteries. Where do 3 billion batteries go once there useful life is over? We would like to think that all 3 billion dead batteries go to a recycling drop off station. Unfortunately not near of the 3 billion batteries are recycled. Many of these batteries end up contaminating our soil, and polluting our lakes, streams, and wells. Batteries contain hazardous materials and should be disposed of properly. The number one reason for consumers not recycling these batteries is the lack of knowledge of where to take them. Drop off stations for batteries are closer than you may think. Did you know that Walmart is a recycling drop off station? You would be hard pressed to find more drop off locations than that of Walmart. Below is a list of drop off stations for dry cell batteries, please be sure to call before dropping any batteries off at these locations.

• Walmart
• Sams Club
• Radio Shack
• Home Depot
• AT&T Mobility
• Best Buy
• Sears
• Target
• Lowes
• Ace Hardware
• K-Mart
• Staples
• Alltel Batteries
• Batteries Plus
• Verizon Wireless
• Black & Decker
• Cingular Wireless
• Porter Cable Service Center

To see other drop off locations visit Call 2 Recycle and chose find a recycling center. The search engine will give you drop off locations near you. Remember that Auto batteries can be taken back where you purchased them for recycling. To learn what happens to Auto batteries when they are recycled, read our article on How Are Batteries Recycled?

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.

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