Today, batteries are widely used in homes, vehicles and industrial production areas. Waste battery, on the other hand, is used to define batteries that have completed their service life. Batteries contain dangerous substances that can be harmful to nature and human health. For this reason, waste batteries that have completed their useful life must be disposed of correctly. Recycling of waste batteries is a critical step to ensure sustainability and prevent the release of toxic substances into nature.
What is Waste Battery?
Batteries, which are preferred in many areas as an electrical source, have a certain service life. Batteries that have expired are called waste batteries. The recycling of waste batteries that have completed their useful life is an extremely important issue in terms of ensuring environmental sustainability.
Batteries are mainly composed of components such as plastic, lead, acid and lead. The acidic solutions in the batteries and the recycling of lead have the feature of directly affecting the environment and human health. For this reason, it is necessary to be careful during the storage, transportation and recycling processes of waste batteries. Regulation on Control of Waste Batteries and Accumulators has been implemented since 2005.
How Are Waste Batteries Transported to Recycling Facilities?
Since waste batteries cause harm to the environment and human health due to the components they contain, they are recycled in various processes in recycling facilities. For this reason, expired batteries should be returned to the dealer or authorized service free of charge. Authorized service or battery dealer puts the waste battery through various safety measures in order to prevent chemical leaks. Waste batteries are stacked in a suitable area with a maximum of 5 on top of each other.
According to the Regulation on Control of Waste Batteries, Waste Batteries and Accumulators; waste batteries can be stored in temporary storage areas for a maximum of 90 days. Waste batteries are recorded and followed up in secure areas created by the regional representatives of the battery company.
When the transfer to the warehouse is completed, the National Waste Transportation Form is filled. When the form is filled, the transportation process to licensed recycling facilities is initiated via licensed vehicles. Compliance is obtained by taking certain safety precautions at the entrance of the waste batteries reaching the recycling facility to the facility.
How Does the Recycling Process of Waste Batteries Work?
Recycling of waste batteries is extremely important for the environment and human health. Waste batteries, which have completed their useful life, are delivered to recycling facilities by authorized services and dealers. Waste batteries brought to the recycling facility go through the following processes:
- Waste batteries are crushed with strong pressure applied with special hammers.
- The mixture of lead and acid in the crushed parts is filtered using various chemicals.
- Afterwards, this mixture containing parts consisting of lead and plastic is transferred to the boiler.
- Lead and plastic parts are kept in the boiler filled with water for a while.
- While the lead parts sink to the bottom of the water, the lighter plastic battery parts stay on the surface of the water.
- Plastic battery parts decomposed from lead are taken into the recycling process and used in the construction of a new battery or different items to be re-evaluated.
- Afterwards, materials consisting of lead and acid are also subjected to acid neutralization.
- After neutralization, lead and acid are completely liquefied.
- As a result of the filtration process, lead is separated from the acid. The remaining leaded part is grounded by subjecting it to the filter press process.
- Finally, the content obtained by adding pure coal into the remaining metals is sent to the dryer. The lead is melted during the drying phase, which lasts about 10 hours.
For detailed information about the waste battery recycling process carried out in licensed recycling facilities, you can visit https://www.saydasplastik.com.tr/en/
