Battery Recyclers of America

Battery Recycling: What Happens Next?

resim Pashov — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:51:09 +0000

For many businesses, batteries are a necessary part of day-to-day operations. Large batteries are used to power equipment, machinery, and tools. However, with time, these batteries deteriorate and must be replaced.

This is when many businesses opt to recycle their batteries. Recycling batteries has numerous benefits and makes it easy for businesses to safely dispose of dead batteries. In most cases, a company will employ a service to come to pick up batteries on site and haul them away to be recycled elsewhere.

Once a business’ batteries are carted away, you might wonder, what happens next? What is the process used to ensure that the caustic materials in batteries are no longer a threat to the environment and how much of the material can be repurposed?

If you’ve ever had questions such as these, read on to learn more about the process of recycling batteries.

Broken Apart

Once your batteries are collected, they are carefully shipped to a recycling facility. These facilities are designed to handle the hazardous materials found in batteries and have proper mitigation in place to ensure that the corrosive materials and heavy metals do not damage the local environment.

Each battery chemistry is recycled in a unique way. The specific method for recycling your battery will depend on the type. However, the first step in battery recycling is usually the breaking down of the outer casing of the battery. Batteries are often designed with an exterior shell that ensures that all of the corrosive materials of the battery are contained safely. In order to recycle each part of the battery, this casing has to be broken apart or disassembled. This allows the recycling facility to access the valuable materials inside. Depending on the type of casing, the outer shell can also be recycled and the materials reused. Often, the casing will be designed with plastics, which can then be melted down and turned into additional upcycled materials.

Melted or Crushed

Once the casing has been removed, the internal components are separated and either melted, crushed, or broken apart. To separate these materials, the battery pieces will be placed in a large vat. Inside this vat, the heavy metals will fall to the bottom, allowing the materials to be separated from one another.

Each internal material is sorted individually by type. This allows the facility to clean and process each type of material in the fashion best suited to the material.

This process requires highly specialized equipment and often utilizes extremely hot temperatures to melt down heavy metals.

A few of the common materials recycled from batteries and the matching process include the following:

Lead: Lead is melted in a smelting furnace. The molten lead is then poured into molds. Once the lead has cooled, it is removed from the mold and shipped to manufacturers for use in the creation of new batteries and lead plates.
Plastic: Any plastic materials are washed and dried. Once they are clean, they can be sent to a plastic processing facility to be turned into an array of new plastic products.
Sulfuric Acid: The acid in a lead-acid battery is neutralized through the use of an industrial compound. This essentially turns the acid into water, which can then be treated, cleaned, and tested before being released into the local sewer system.

In order to ensure that no toxic materials are expelled during the process, recycling facilities take careful measures. These facilities are required to meet strict Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines to ensure that they do not create pollution while processing the battery materials. The work is difficult, costly, and dangerous, which is why very few businesses can handle recycling in-house.

Returned into the Product Materials Stream

Once the materials have been sorted, cleaned, and processed, they can be returned to the product materials stream. How much of the original materials can be repurposed depends on the type of battery. However, for most lead-acid batteries, 100 percent of the lead contained in the battery can be recycled into new batteries.

The materials that are recycled from batteries are often extremely valuable. Many of the heavy metals found in batteries are difficult to acquire. To secure more of these materials, extensive mining must take place. This drives up the cost of the materials, particularly as more and more manufacturers rely on these materials for new products. As the electric vehicle market continues to grow, this will only heighten the shortage of these materials.

However, by recycling batteries, businesses can help pour these valuable materials back into the manufacturing market. This allows what was once toxic waste to contribute to a sustainable future.

A single load of batteries can be recycled back into the product stream to help design new batteries, electronics, and equipment. There are numerous possibilities for the use of the materials, and as recycling methods continue to improve, the amount of material that can be salvaged will only increase.

Our Battery Recycling Pickup Process

If you are interested in contributing to the positive effects of recycling batteries, our team is here to help. When you work with Battery Recyclers of America, you are working with experts in the field. Working with our team is simple. First, we invite you to connect with one of our experts. From here, we can provide you with a custom solution based on your needs. We will want to know a little bit about the number of batteries you recycle, as well as the type of batteries you recycle. The good news is that we handle numerous types of batteries, including both lead-based and lithium batteries.

From here, we will design the right pickup frequency for your needs. Our experienced logistics team will create all shipping paperwork and hazardous labeling when necessary. We provide this ahead of time and schedule your battery shipment according to your business needs.

In many cases, you can even receive payment for your load of batteries the same day. We offer full transparency throughout the entire process, making sure that you understand the exact sequence of events.

For more information about how we can help you recycle your business’ batteries and turn them into money, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can either contact us online through our digital form or give our team a call at 866-290-3849 to learn more.

Business Benefits of Battery Recycling

resim Pashov — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 13:46:57 +0000

Countless businesses use batteries every single day to ensure the smooth operation of equipment, machinery, and tools. These batteries range in size from small SLI batteries to massive industrial battery arrays. Regardless of the type of battery, over time, the battery will begin to lose its ability to hold power. Eventually, the battery will die, leaving the business to determine the best method for disposing of the battery.

For companies that utilize numerous batteries, the continual disposal of batteries can become challenging. Simply throwing away the batteries is often not a choice due to local and federal regulations. Beyond that, most businesses recognize the dangers associated with throwing caustic batteries into local landfills.

This is why many companies are now turning to recycling as a better option for battery disposal. If you are interested in changing the way in which your company handles the removal of batteries, check out the top three business benefits of battery recycling.

Benefit #1: Contributing to Sustainability Goals

One of the top benefits of recycling a battery is that it helps contribute to a more sustainable future. When batteries are thrown into landfills, their outer casing begins to break down. The plastics from the shell can be damaging to the environment, but what lies inside of the battery is often even more caustic. Heavy metals and corrosive materials spill out of the battery, melting into the ground. This can damage the soil long-term, and can even seep into local watersheds.

Recycling batteries, however, use an EPA-approved process to ensure that the disposal of the battery waste is compliant with all state and federal laws and regulations. Rather than dumping corrosive materials into a landfill, recycling melts down and cleans these materials for future use.

For businesses, this is beneficial for two major reasons:

You are protected against the fees and penalties that your business can infer from the improper disposal of batteries. This can save you a massive amount of money every year, as well as ensure that your operations are never interrupted by government agencies.
You can contribute to your company’s sustainability goals by recycling batteries from your facility. As your organization continues to set goals around sustainability initiatives, battery recycling can become an integral line item in showcasing how your company is decreasing its negative impact on the environment. This is particularly important when dealing with investors who require specific sustainability measures to be in place in order to secure funding. It can also be beneficial in improving your company’s image in the public eye. As consumers continue to express their concerns around business sustainability initiatives, you can showcase how your company is using battery recycling to contribute to a better tomorrow.

Benefit #2: Convenient Battery Removal

Not only is battery recycling better for the planet, but it is also far more convenient than dealing with battery disposal on your own. The logistics of shipping batteries are complex. Often, they require specialized handling and labeling due to the corrosive nature of battery materials.

When you opt for recycling, you will enjoy convenient, fast pickup. For example, with Battery Recyclers of America, our team can often provide pickup services as soon as the next day. We handle all of the heavy lifting and logistics of transporting your batteries to a recycling facility.

This means that your team is free to continue focusing on what matters the most — keeping your business running smoothly.

For many organizations, we build a custom pickup schedule on an ongoing basis. We can work with you based on the maintenance plans you have in place for equipment, ensuring that batteries are quickly removed in a timely manner.

Benefit #3: Earn Money Back

When you recycle batteries, you can often earn a substantial amount of money back. The materials found inside batteries are extremely valuable. Many battery types, including lead-acid and lithium-ion, can be processed and recycled back into usable materials.

When you recycle your batteries, the total load you submit will be weighed. From this weight, you will be offered a payment per pound of material. This allows you to turn your battery waste into a money stream that can be used to offset the purchase of new batteries. Simultaneously, you’ll save money by not dealing with the logistics of battery removal on your own dime.

Due to the high value of heavy metals, battery materials can fetch a high dollar value. For manufacturers on the other end of the recycling process, purchasing recycled materials offers numerous benefits as well. They can lower the cost of materials and can contribute to their own sustainability goals by implementing recycled materials into their production cycle. The higher the demand for sustainable materials, the more money there is to be made by companies that opt to recycle their batteries.

Reach Out to Schedule Battery Recycling

If you are interested in reaping the benefits of battery recycling for your business, please reach out to our team. You can either fill out our online form for a free custom quote, or you can call to speak with one of our experts at 866-290-3849 over the phone. Either way, we will work to create a custom recycling plan based on your business needs.

To ensure that we can help you in the best way possible, we will first gather some information from you about your business operations. We’ll want to know a little more about the type of batteries you need to be recycled, as well as the quantity. Based on that information, we can help schedule appropriate recycling services. Throughout every step of the process, we will provide you with up-to-date information on the status of your pickup and the eventual drop-off of your batteries at a recycling facility. We work to ensure that you are paid for your batteries in a timely manner and offer competitive rates. Once the final battery weight of your load is confirmed, we will quickly and efficiently issue your payment and recycling certificate. This makes disposing of batteries simple, and you can enjoy the benefits of recycling immediately.

Why Warehouses Must Rely on Professional Battery Recycling Services

resim Pashov — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 13:44:14 +0000

Hundreds of thousands of warehouses serve the United States with storage and logistics for the majority of goods that move through the country. Without enough safe and steadily operating warehouses, the supply chain could easily grind to a halt. While batteries help power forklifts, pallet jacks, and more inside the warehouse environment, they can also pose a fire hazard. Proper replacement when the batteries become worn reduces the risk. Yet this also leaves the warehouse crew with batteries to deal with at that point. Letting old batteries build up could cause more of a fire risk than continuing to use them as they age or show signs of wear. Even a small warehouse can rely on hundreds of batteries in different sizes and configurations to power equipment of all sizes. Find out why these batteries need professional recycling and not just informal disposal.

Multiple Battery Types

The average warehouse likely has a mix of different batteries they rely on rather than one unified type of power unit. Lithium-ion batteries need different handling and have unique risks compared to the lead-acid batteries that are commonly found on gas-powered forklifts and similar equipment. If your warehouse relies on a mix of both electric and gas-powered equipment still, you’ll definitely need an advanced battery recycling support team to ensure everything you send in is properly treated. Set up a system in which various types of batteries are sorted from each other and stored according to their specific needs. The small rechargeable packs used for barcode scanners will need to stay separate from large batteries used for forklifts and pallet jacks.

Risks of Lithium-Ion Forklift Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are often advertised specifically to forklift owners and warehouse managers that are concerned about the risks of old-fashioned lead acid batteries. While it’s true that there are fewer risks when lithium is used to store a charge, there are still plenty of safe handling considerations. Lithium-ion batteries can become a fire hazard if they’re damaged, especially when fully charged. They shouldn’t be stored with more than 50% charge in them to keep this risk under control. They can also leak, despite having no water and fewer fluids in them than standard lead-acid batteries.

Risks of Lead Acid Batteries

Lead-acid batteries are used in older electric forklifts and all gas-powered models. When they’re used for the primary charge of the equipment, they’re particularly hazardous because they release fumes as they recharge. These batteries must be stored separately from lithium-ion batteries and in areas with good ventilation and no sparks. Leaks from these batteries are particularly hazardous because of the sulfuric acid inside. These batteries are being phased out of many warehouses across the country now, so they need extra care when handling to ensure there are no issues while they’re transported and processed for recycling.

Easy Collection Systems

With different batteries used for lifting equipment, product tracking systems, and employee safety devices, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach for the warehouse. You’ll need a comprehensive plan that designates separate areas for batteries based on their size, composition, and risk factors. Set up a collection area for batteries that have reached the end of their service lifespan so there’s no risk of confusing them for good units that just need recharging. Trying to charge a damaged or outdated battery could lead to explosive damage or worse. Make sure that batteries waiting for pickup for recycling are marked clearly and in their own collection system.

Safe Storage for Batteries

Aside from handling batteries ready for replacement with care, you’ll want to store those that are still good with safety in mind as well. Sprinkler protection is a common requirement to deal with the fire risk that comes from keeping charged lithium batteries stored in the same place. Even if you don’t have to add specific safety equipment to the warehouse to compensate for the risk, practices like routine visual inspections to look for issues are always a good idea.

Signs Warehouse Batteries Need Replacement

No matter the type or age of the battery, there are a few basic signs of damage. Watch out for the following signs that your warehouse batteries need to go to the recycling plant and receive timely replacements.

White or dark-colored corrosion on the outside of the battery case
Cracks or bulges in the casing of the battery
Odors, especially the rotten egg smell of sulfur
Lack of charging response
Quick discharging despite being fully charged
Negative results from a battery testing device
Broken posts or connection points.

Worker Safety with Warehouse Batteries

Warehouse batteries and the devices they power pose some of the biggest risks to worker safety. Following OSHA regulations for battery handling is essential to keeping worker compensation claims under control. That includes recycling batteries when they reach the end of their lifespan, even if they seem to be performing within reasonable parameters. Putting off replacement until a battery is leaking fluid or overheating dangerously during charging puts your workers at risk for serious injury.

Finding Professional Battery Recycling Services

If batteries are disposed of in the usual trash pickup service used for the packaging and debris of the warehouse, there’s a good chance of leaking fluids. This can expose workers to sulfuric acid, heavy metals, and more. Professional battery recycling is the key to preventing fire and explosion risks during trash compaction as well. Even small batteries used for powering walkie-talkies or digital cameras can result in fires when crushed. Sort all batteries into a recycling container appropriate for their size and type to make sure that the waste stream of the warehouse is safe for workers to handle.

Turn to Battery Recyclers of America for the easiest way to handle all the batteries you need to dispose of from across the warehouse. Even advanced battery systems for power backup or critical operations can be dealt with through our expert services. Contact us today to schedule a discussion about your needs for warehouse battery recycling.

What’s Next in Battery Technology

resim Pashov — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 13:39:07 +0000

While batteries have infiltrated every part of life to become a tool nearly everyone relies on from day to day, they continue to provide the most value in the commercial sector. From powering energy storage systems that prevent rolling blackouts to individual batteries that run telecommunication or manufacturing equipment, commercial batteries make today’s advanced systems possible to run. Battery technology isn’t new, but today’s cutting-edge energy storage systems are getting more complex with each passing year. Battery innovations are at an all-time high, at least according to the fact that 90% of energy storage patents in Europe filed in 2020 were for a battery design or feature. Whatever comes tomorrow to revolutionize battery storage capacity and their commercial applications, you can rest assured that Battery Recyclers of America will be there to support you through the transition by replacing older batteries with new ones.

Materials

Many of the biggest breakthroughs in batteries that are expected to arrive over the next few years involve new materials or new ways to use readily available materials. All batteries rely on some combination of liquids known as electrolytes to react inside the core and allow for energy storage and then subsequent discharge. While lead-acid and then lithium-ion have long ruled the commercial battery market, they’re not the only options that will be available or affordable if developments hold out as expected over the next few years.

Sulfur to Cut Costs

While there is a lot of focus on the costs and difficulty of lithium mining, it’s often the other heavy metals inside rechargeable batteries that are truly the most expensive components. Cobalt, manganese, and even nickel can be difficult to source as demand grows for battery production. Sulfur has the potential to replace these rare metals and therefore reduce both the cost and complexity of recycling procedures. These batteries function much like the lithium-ion models currently used, but they create much less of a pollution risk.

Solid State Batteries

One of the flashiest and most well-reported upcoming advancements in the battery world is the solid state design. While it may get a lot of attention, it’s for a good reason, at least in the commercial battery field. The technology was first developed all the way back in the 1800s, but the use of solid electrodes and electrolytes has largely been impractical in real-world applications. From NASA to dozens of private industry companies, everyone’s working on breaking through since these batteries can offer a discharge rate up to 50 times higher than current lithium-based designs. When it comes to the massive demands of the power grid or industrial equipment, that’s a major breakthrough in battery value.

Potassium-Selenium Breakthroughs

Another option for reducing the cost and environmental impact of battery production is the use of common elements such as potassium and selenium. Unfortunately, batteries made with these materials in place of lithium have been plagued with issues with energy storage capacity loss quickly after being put into use. 3D printing breakthroughs have created variations using just small amounts of cobalt and other high-demand metals to make batteries that are less expensive to create while still offering the energy storage needed for commercial purposes.

Organosilicon Electrolytes for Safety

Some of the biggest upcoming breakthroughs in battery construction won’t completely overhaul the current lithium-ion design but instead will improve its already reliable design. One of the biggest flaws of current LI batteries is the high risk of fire, especially when batteries are stored with more than a 50% charge. Using organosilicon electrolytes rather than the carbonate-based solvents common in today’s LI batteries can dramatically reduce this fire risk for safer and easier-to-store commercial storage power units.

Increasing Regulations and Requirements

As the use of commercial batteries rises across all industries, so does the amount of regulations and laws applied to industrial and power system users in particular. The larger the battery, the more of a risk it poses for both environmental pollution and fire. While many of the newest regulations on safety and labeling apply to batteries made in or shipped to Europe, the US is also catching up on setting regulations on recycling and material sourcing for commercial batteries in particular.

Tax Credit Limitations

In the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, a new tax credit was announced to encourage purchasing of electric vehicles to reduce demand for gasoline and diesel fuels. However, this credit came with a strong limitation involving the battery or batteries powering the vehicle. The $7,500 credit is only available if the battery was manufactured from materials mined in the US or one of the countries it has a free-trade agreement. As of 2022, China produces close to 80% of the batteries used in EVs sold in the US. That means in order to make this tax credit appealing and useful to drivers, American battery manufacturing will have to greatly increase from the 7% produced domestically for the US electric vehicle market in 2021.

EPA Considering Recycling Requirements

While, as of 2022, there are no specific federal recycling requirements for the majority of commercial batteries in use, the EPA has been signaling that it is moving to change this soon. Right now only states regulate how commercial and personal batteries must be handled during disposal. A published Request for Information shows that the agency is working towards a full set of regulations to guide the entire battery supply chain in the US. It seems that the labeling process will still be voluntary to assist in streamlining the recycling process, but the need to handle batteries correctly when they’ve reached the end of their lifespan is likely to become mandatory for many companies across dozens of industries within the next few years.

Recycling and End of Life

All of the current battery technology used in commercial applications has a fixed lifespan. Even with advancements in the use of alternative materials and design improvements, each battery will eventually need replacement. Planning for the end of life for massive power storage units can take just as much work as choosing and installing them in the first place. Yet new methods for disassembly, recapture of valuable materials, and reuse will help reduce the chance of negative environmental impacts from expanded reliance on battery technology.

Discharge Improvements

One of the biggest challenges of recycling rechargeable batteries involves discharging the energy still stored within. Depending on the volatility of the electrolyte and electrode composition, it can be dangerous to have even a few percent of the total charge still in the battery. This is particularly true for lithium-ion batteries. Direct discharging stations that connect to the battery’s contacts and use up the energy stored within are slow, expensive to operate, and need regular maintenance. New techniques that involve liquid submersion discharge without explosive or fire risks are emerging for the rapid discharging of large volumes of batteries, allowing for much faster movement through the processing steps.

Advancements in Separation

A big leap in battery recycling was worked out by the Department of Energy in 2019, but it’s still being implemented across the material processing industry. The original problem was the fact that valuable materials like cobalt, manganese, and nickel are all mixed together in the used battery that’s being recycled. Separating the various metals out was often deemed too costly and time consuming to be practical, greatly limiting future uses of the reclaimed material. The DOE’s trials revealed that frothing the mixture at the right rate caused some materials to float while others sank. This low-cost and relatively low-energy method of separation will make it much easier to fully reuse materials in new battery production.

Ultrasound to Boost Recovery Rates

Another technique still in development for improving recovery rates overall during battery cycling is ultrasound. Since ultrasound waves are easily generated with relatively little electricity, it’s good news that they can produce a surprising recovery rate when used in combination with disassembly. Manually breaking down a battery often leaves less than 70% of materials being recovered, but adding in ultrasonic treatment has improved that rate to 80% or more in tests run by The Faraday Institution.

Energy Storage Systems

Batteries have traditionally played a limited role in backing up the overall energy storage system in the US and around the world. Even as recently as 2022, pumped hydro energy storage made up over 90% of the global capacity for backup power. This type of energy storage has long been lower in cost than battery systems, but it’s not without its environmental impact and risks as well. When the water is lost due to a collapse or failure, it can flood homes and damage local environments. The feasibility and affordability of using batteries for energy storage are both beginning to increase, so future advancements in this field are sure to involve plenty of battery technology upgrades.

Flow Batteries for Continuous Power Storage

One reason that large-scale lithium batteries have not taken off as a power storage option yet is the continuous loss of power as a battery sits unused. When used for critical power and backup operations, even a loss of 5% of total power can lead to problems. Redox flow cells work around the constant discharge issue with an exchange of fluids that prevents a loss of power over time. The regular refreshment of the electrolyte solution within the battery, through pumps or internal membranes, ensures a greater rate of regeneration and recharging as well. These are all essential features for battery systems designed to store multiple megawatts of power to support the grid or individual facilities that perform essential functions like hospitals and more.

Battery Costs

In all industries and applications, commercial battery costs are a major stumbling block to their use. While these batteries may allow for the steady and uninterrupted use of renewable energy sources like solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric plants, they also tend to come with high price tags. Battery costs have been dropping steadily for the last ten years, from prices on electric vehicle units to those required for backup power generation on a work site. Falling battery costs are necessary for their widespread adoption, so new advancements that help production and installation expenses drop are good news for manufacturers and commercial users alike.

How Many Batteries Must Be Supplied?

In order to supply electric vehicle demand alone, it’s estimated that 1,000 gigawatts of total manufacturing capacity must be online by 2025. Production demand could increase by 50% again just by 2030, and that’s only factoring in demand for EVs. Once you consider the additional scale of demand for commercial and industrial battery systems, it’s clear that manufacturing must increase exponentially. This is projected to help lower costs as well, both by driving competition between manufacturers and by encouraging greater innovation to address cost and supply issues.

Cost Benchmarks

Historically, costs have remained above $100 per kilowatt hour for battery cells made with lithium-ion technology. It’s projected that the average cost will finally fall below that point during 2023. This should help accelerate the adoption of this technology for energy storage across the grid, not to mention help increase the demand for both new and used electric vehicles. As new developments in manufacturing and recycling help trim the costs associated with producing these batteries, it’ll be easier for industries of all kinds to embrace energy storage on-site. Battery savings are expected to continue through the rest of the 2020s, resulting in prices as low as around $70 per kilowatt hour by 2030. Of course, only time will tell how prices actually fluctuate with the advent of new recycling technology and changes in manufacturing.

Conclusion

Battery technologies may come and go, but we’re always ready to help here at Battery Recyclers of America. You can rest assured that we keep up with every change and advancement in the commercial battery world. Our recycling methods upgrade as the batteries adapt, ensuring we’re qualified to help decommission, remove, and recycle almost every type of battery used today. Contact us today with your questions about commercial battery recycling.

Additional Sources:

https://www.altenergymag.com/article/2022/01/innovations-in-end-of-life-lithium-ion-battery-disposal-recycling/36680

https://www.energymonitor.ai/tech/energy-storage/reducing-battery-cost-is-essential-for-a-clean-energy-future

https://electrek.co/2021/10/07/egeb-this-breakthrough-research-makes-battery-recycling-more-cost-effective/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesmorris/2022/04/02/sulfur-battery-technology-could-make-electric-cars-go-three-times-further-by-2024/?sh=1694a0a67eed

https://www.industryweek.com/technology-and-iiot/article/22028055/next-gen-batteries-to-power-up-electric-vehicle-installed-base-to-100-million-by-2028

https://www.energymonitor.ai/tech/energy-storage/can-flow-batteries-supercharge-the-energy-transition

https://www.sidley.com/en/insights/newsupdates/2022/06/epa-information-request-suggests-coming-battery-recycling-and-labeling-standards

Key Challenges of Large-Scale Battery Recycling and How to Resolve Them

resim Pashov — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 13:35:00 +0000

As energy storage technology has continued to advance, the applications for the use of batteries simultaneously grow. Improved efficiency in energy storage has translated to smaller batteries packing the same powerful punch as behemoths of old.

Moder-day batteries are becoming particularly valuable as a tool for moving towards green energy solutions. Batteries are now powering everything from electric vehicles to sustainable power grids.

However, while batteries provide an incredible opportunity for capturing and storing green energy, there are also increasing concerns about the sustainability of manufacturing batteries. Current manufacturing processes require the use of a complex array of materials, many of which are heavy metals and precious minerals with limited global availability. This has contributed to an increase in mining, often impacting local environments negatively.

Lithium extraction alone has led to an increasing concern about its ongoing effects on the environment. Often, the process of extracting lithium leads to water shortages and toxic overflow into the nearby soil.

Beyond the process of mining materials necessary for batteries, there is an increasing concern about the proper disposal of batteries. When batteries are thrown into landfills, they can further contribute to the toxic contamination of soil and watersheds. Not only that, but in some cases, these batteries can lead to dangerous landfill fires.

It is for this reason that many are turning to large-scale battery recycling as the solution for creating a more sustainable energy future. However, battery recycling is also plagued with a unique set of challenges that are currently limiting the number of materials repurposed.

To better understand the future of large-scale battery recycling and how to resolve the challenges this industry is facing, let’s begin with a look at current trends.

An Increasing Demand for Batteries

Batteries have long played an important role in the energy storage sector. However, as the technology for rechargeable batteries has improved, that demand has only grown. Today, lithium-ion batteries, in particular, are poised to assist in the global movement away from fossil fuels and toward sustainable energy solutions.

However, as a more sustainable energy grid is built, questions remain about how environmentally friendly the components of these grids actually are.

Along with large-scale energy grid storage, the increase in battery demand is being driven by the explosive growth of the electric vehicle market. With countries around the globe committing to the transition toward electric vehicle adoption, landfills are facing an increased risk of becoming overrun with spent lithium-ion batteries. In fact, industry analysts have predicted that by 2030, the worldwide amount of lithium-ion battery waste could hit 2 million metric tons per year.

The demand for batteries does not look to slow down anytime soon, which is why many government regulating bodies and environmental activists are turning their focus to improving large-scale battery recycling.

Present-Day Battery Recycling Habits

The good news is that batteries can be recycled, and much of the material found in batteries can be processed and cleaned. From here, these materials can be repurposed into future batteries or other products.

However, currently, battery recycling habits are limited, particularly in relation to lithium-ion batteries. Recent data indicates that in the European Union and the U.S., less than 5% of lithium-ion batteries are recycled. Faring worse is the Australian market, where only 2-3% of lithium-ion batteries are collected and sent for recycling.

If batteries can be recycled and the valuable materials within batteries extracted, what is causing this lag in the adoption of recycling? This is in part due to the incredible complexities and challenges that face the recycling landscape. Unlike simple plastics or papers, batteries require complicated processes in order to safely transport, extract, and process materials.

To understand this further, it is imperative to recognize the unique challenges facing battery recycling.

A Challenging Landscape for Battery Recycling

When it comes to recycling batteries, historically, there has been a large amount of success seen in relation to recycling lead-acid batteries. From a lead-acid battery, 100% of the lead from within the battery can be recycled and reused. This creates a high level of profitability for recycling lead-acid batteries.

However, current trends are moving away from the use of lead-acid batteries to lithium-ion batteries due to the superior technology of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries offer greater efficiency, longer lifespans, and higher power density. In fact, lithium-ion batteries can achieve a power density of 125-600+ Wh/L versus 50-90 Wh/L for lead acid batteries. This means to achieve the same power, lead acid batteries will take up far more space and weigh more. This is one of the reasons that lithium-ion batteries are seeing such a widescale use in the electric vehicle, mobile devices, and small electronic markets.

Much of the challenges faced in large-scale battery recycling, therefore, revolve around the complexities of recycling lithium-ion.

In a recent interview with Manufacturing, Zachary Baum, an expert in lithium-ion recycling plants working for Information Technology and Service CAS, explains three key issues facing the battery landscaping environment.

Safe transportation to and from facilities
The ability to maximize the economic value of the recycled materials
The complexities in the design variability of batteries

While each of these issues is a key concern, the third issue relating to the complex and varied designs of lithium batteries is perhaps one of the largest hurdles for recycling facilities to overcome.

While all lithium-ion batteries utilize the same basic technology, they vary in their exact chemistry and makeup. Some lithium-ion batteries implement lithium cobalt oxide, some lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide, and other lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide. Additionally, the exact proportion of each component is not constant, varying from manufacturer to manufacturer.

This leads to incredible challenges for recycling facilities. Batteries must be sorted and separated by composition, which in turn raises costs and limits the speed at which recycling can occur.

Not only does the composition of the minerals used within lithium-ion batteries dramatically differ from battery to battery, but the actual structure of these batteries is also not standardized. This means that disassembly cannot follow a systemized process. It also means that much of the recycling process is still manual, requiring the tedious labor of human workers.

Large battery packs can also include additional components depending on their use. In the application of electric vehicles, for example, the battery pack might include safety devices and sensors. These, too, must be disassembled safely and in a manner that allows for the clean processing of all materials.

Growing Research into Recycling Technology

While there is no doubt that large-scale battery recycling is facing numerous challenges, particularly as the industry sees a rise in the use of lithium-ion batteries, there is hope on the horizon. As the global fervor around sustainability increases, researchers are shifting their focus to improving recycling technology.

For example, in 2019, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the first DOE lithium-ion battery recycling R&D center, the Recell Center. The ReCell center is focused on making lithium-ion battery recycling more profitable and aims to help reduce the countries’ dependency on foreign sources of battery materials.

Millions of dollars have been invested into the ReCell center, where researchers from industry, academia, and national laboratories all collaborate together to help increase the efficiencies of battery recycling.

The DOE has also launched the Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Prize. According to the DOE, the goal of this $5 million prize is to focus “on identifying innovative solutions for collecting, sorting, storing, and transporting spent and discarded lithium-ion batteries — from electric vehicle (EV), consumer electronics, industrial, and stationary applications — for eventual recycling and materials recovery.”

A Multi-Faceted Recycling Strategy

At the same time as funding is being poured into improved battery recycling technology, many recycling advocates are also looking toward a multi-faceted strategy to help mitigate the waste produced by an increasing reliance upon batteries.

One example of this is found in the repurposing or cascade utilization of electric vehicle batteries. The goal of this strategy is to take a battery pack that has fallen beneath 80% of its original nominal capacity and repurposes it for use in lower-powered applications or in a reconfiguration for grid energy storage. This concept is demonstrated in the figure below.

Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/gch2.202200099

Repurposing is just one of the many creative solutions being explored as the recycling industry looks for innovative methods for increasing the long-term use of existing batteries.

The Future of Solving Large-Scale Battery Recycling Challenges

As the production of electric vehicles ramps up and as new energy storage demands increase, the future must involve a renewed focus on overcoming the current challenges facing large-scale battery recycling.

In the published paper “Current Challenges in Efficient Lithium-Ion Batteries’ Recycling: A Perspective,” researchers propose three key areas of improvement that will help contribute to a more promising future of large-scale battery recycling.

First, the paper proposes that new recycling technologies must be developed that focus on increasing the value of recycled materials. Paired with this focus is a recommendation that new batteries should be designed and manufactured in such a way that they are easier to recycle. For example, through the standardization of cell construction, many of the issues facing the battery recycling industry could be more easily overcome.

Secondly, the paper points out the necessity of governmental policy and funding. While the U.S. and other global leaders are beginning to dedicate funding toward improved recycling technology, there is a call for further focus to be placed on this critical sustainability measure.

Finally, economic and ecological considerations must be evaluated. It is necessary to find ways to improve the economic efficiency of recycling, including a reduction in transportation costs and mitigation of the negative impacts of primary material extraction on the planet.

In the U.S., these focuses have recently been backed by an incredible increase in funding. A huge portion of this funding is due to the Bipartisan Infrascturue Law, with the DOE heading up the implementation of $335 million in investments toward lithium-ion battery recycling programs.

Contribute to a Sustainable Future: Sign Up for Battery Recycling

As the global demand for batteries continues to increase, businesses can do their part in contributing to a more sustainable future by signing up for battery recycling. Though there are many unique challenges facing large-scale battery recycling, technology is marching forward with new innovations paving the way for improved recycling practices.

If your company is interested in learning more about how you can take part in large-scale battery recycling, our team is here to help. At Battery Recyclers of America, we offer convenient pickup services that are available as soon as the next day. Our goal is to handle all of the hard work for you, allowing you to efficiently and safely recycle batteries of almost any type.

Additionally, we use EPA-approved facilities to make sure you’re always compliant with state and federal laws and regulations. And we offer competitive pricing, helping you turn your batteries into an additional revenue stream.

As the battery recycling industry continues to push forward, we will be here to help connect you with the latest in recycling solutions. Our goal is to contribute to a more sustainable future in which batteries can be efficiently, safely, and profitably recycled and repurposed.

To learn more, feel free to fill out our online form or give our team a call at 866-399-4322. We look forward to becoming your trusted partner for battery recycling.

Repair or Replace? Battery Decisions 101

resim Pashov — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 13:31:56 +0000

Good maintenance and correct handling can help commercial batteries last for years on end. Lithium-ion batteries may offer a lifespan of 10 years or more, while more traditional lead-acid and nickel-metal batteries often need replacement after only five years or less. Of course, the actual design and use of the battery also determine how long you can rely on it before investing in a new unit. It’s possible to rejuvenate and restore some types of batteries as they age, getting a few more months or years of use from the power source for a forklift or an electric vehicle. But eventually, every commercial-grade battery will need replacement and recycling. Here’s how to know if a particular battery is reaching the end of its lifespan so you can make recycling arrangements before there’s an incident due to a worn-out unit.

Why Do Batteries Need Replacement?

While one-use batteries obviously lose their value after discharging, most commercial batteries are rechargeable in some way to increase their value and reduce wasted materials. Yet even with appropriate handling and careful maintenance over the years, even the most durable battery will eventually run down or become damaged. It’s sheer chemistry that causes the internal active material to slowly lose its ability to hold a charge. Depending on the combination of liquids or solids used in the core of the battery, this can happen in just a few years or over the course of a decade. Older batteries will hold a smaller charge or discharge faster, which both lead to issues keeping your equipment powered for a full workday. Charging time may increase as well, especially in lithium-ion batteries. Even designs with improved life eventually wear out.

Sometimes even brand new batteries need replacement rather than maintenance simply because they’re too damaged to keep using. Batteries aren’t safe to use if:

There is any noticeable bulging to the case or components
The battery is hotter than usual when charging or using
Fluids are leaking out of the case
The battery is making a hissing or whining noise
There is any other visible damage to the battery.

Minor signs of damage like corrosion may occur over time, no matter what, but they also indicate you’re getting closer to the need for a new battery. Repairing a battery is not an easy process. For the repaired unit to operate safely and correctly, it’ll need professional handling and re-calibration before charging. Unless the battery was relatively new, only has limited damage, and you have services available in the area, it’s likely a better choice to replace it entirely.

How Can You Make a Battery Last Longer?

While replacement is inevitable for practically every commercial battery, there are tricks to help a battery last longer before it’s time to send it away for recycling. Most batteries have a specific point at which they respond best to recharging. Recharging before reaching the minimum recommended discharging point can help maintain the energy-holding capacity of the battery. In most cases, you also want to avoid unnecessary overcharging whenever possible as well. Most modern charging stations for commercial-grade batteries include this as a standard feature, but it’s important to check on it rather than assuming your charging system isn’t overcharging each unit. The single biggest factor that determines the lifespan of modern lithium-ion batteries is exposure to ambient temperature. They prefer to be used in a standard temperature range of 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Use in hot temperatures leads to damage to the material on the interior, while the battery can’t supply as much power when it’s used in cold ambient temperatures. Make sure batteries are stored in a partially discharged state when they won’t be used for more than a few weeks at a time to prevent a breakdown during storage as well.

Repair vs Replace: Commercial Battery Options

For commercial batteries, replacing a single unit can cost thousands of dollars. It’s no wonder that most business owners try to squeeze as much life as possible from these devices before giving in and replacing them. With the majority of commercial equipment, repair and renovation are generally available to keep it running smoothly without the high cost of replacement. However, this is necessarily the case with batteries. Even the largest batteries used in power systems eventually need replacement, which is a major undertaking. The options for repairing commercial batteries are generally limited to refreshing the fluids used in liquid-filled batteries, using programmed charging cycles to try and restore the capacity of the unit, and switching some battery cores into new cases after minor damage. Once a battery significantly loses its ability to hold power and provide a steady supply at the desired voltage, it’s time to replace it and recycle the old unit.

How to Handle the Batteries You’re Replacing

Unless you’re removing a battery temporarily for conditioning or another attempt at repair, you should recycle the unit that’s being replaced. Keeping it around even temporarily creates a fire risk, especially if the battery is damaged or leaking. The fluids that leak out of all commercial batteries used today all pose some kind of health and environmental risk. Moving the old and unwanted units to the recycling facility as quickly as possible prevents all sorts of issues, but it requires the help of professionals in many cases. Small handheld battery packs for power tools, barcode scanners, and other devices are easy enough to package up and set aside for pickup. But for larger batteries that are built into power systems and manufacturing facilities, there may be an extensive decommissioning process that must be undergone first. We can help give you the advice you need on battery removal as part of our commercial recycling services.

Choose Battery Recyclers of America for help whether you have 1 or 1,000 batteries in need of recycling. We’re the experts in dealing with all of the batteries relied on for commercial purposes today, so we can help regardless of what kind of replacement situation you’re facing.

What Determines the Market Price for My Batteries?

resim Pashov — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 13:23:43 +0000

If you’re looking into recycling your batteries for money, you’ve probably noticed that the market price changes from day to day and even from city to city. What’s behind all this change?

This article explores what determines the market price for your batteries and what it all means for you.

How Are Batteries Priced?

Battery prices vary depending on the type(s) of batteries you have. The major types of batteries include:

Lead-acid: conventional car batteries, uninterrupted power supply (UPS) units, telecommunications, industrial applications
Lithium-ion: electric vehicles (EVs), cell phones, laptops, rechargeable electronics
Nickel-cadmium (NiCad): backup power, transportation
Alkaline: non-rechargeable consumer devices

Battery market prices are typically quoted by the pound. Depending on the battery chemistry and your location in the US, the market price can be as low as a few cents or as high as a few dollars.

Why is there such a huge difference in the market price for batteries? It turns out that there are a few factors that can affect how much your batteries are worth.

Which Factors Determine the Market Price for a Battery?

When thinking about the major factors that affect the market price of your batteries (or anything, really), you should consider three big things:

Materials: What’s the current price of the materials inside my batteries?
Shipping and transport: How easy is it to get batteries from the customer to the recycler?
Supply and demand: Have there been any supply or demand “shocks” that have temporarily disrupted or boosted the availability of battery materials?
Service factor: What added value is the battery recycler providing?

Let’s look at each of these three factors in more detail.

Materials: What’s Inside a Battery?

Different batteries incorporate different types of metals and materials, and this will affect the price of a battery. The most prevalent materials found in common batteries are:

Lead-acid battery: lead, copper, sulfuric acid, water
Lithium battery: aluminum, cobalt, copper, iron, nickel, manganese, lithium
Nickel-cadmium (NiCad) battery: cadmium, nickel, potassium
Alkaline battery: graphite, manganese, potassium, zinc

It’s important to understand what’s inside your battery because some materials are more common than others. For instance, while lead is cheap and abundant, cadmium is extremely rare (lithium is somewhere in the middle). Batteries that incorporate rare or expensive metals are more sensitive to global price fluctuations of these raw materials.

Of course, more abundant metals like lead fluctuate in price as well. Although lead is much cheaper than other metals found in batteries, the sheer volume of lead in a lead-acid battery means that a change of just a few cents can significantly impact the combined market value of your batteries, especially if you’re recycling large quantities.

Scrap metal prices change every day, which means that the market price of your batteries constantly changes too. Websites like the London Metal Exchange can help you track the most current market prices.

Shipping and Transport: How Easy Is It to Move Batteries?

The market price of raw materials used in batteries has a major effect on the value of your batteries, but it’s not the whole story. Even though raw material and scrap battery prices are quoted on global or national exchanges, shipping and transport costs can play a significant role as well.

For example, suppose that one business is located 10 miles from the nearest battery recycling facility while a second business is located 100 miles from the nearest facility. It would be much cheaper to transport batteries from the first business than from the second business. So, even though everyone is paying the same price for the batteries themselves, the added transport cost means that the two businesses are getting quoted different market prices for their batteries.

Shipping and transport cost is one reason why the price of batteries can differ widely from region to region, even within the same state. Depending on the available connections in a certain city (rail, ports, or trucking hubs), the market value of your batteries can differ from place to place.

Supply and Demand: Can the World Keep Up?

It shouldn’t be a surprise that supply and demand play a role in the market price of your batteries — the more people want something, the more expensive it becomes. What’s interesting about the battery industry is that both supply and demand have seen rapid changes over the last several years.

On the supply side, the pandemic temporarily slowed down almost every type of economic activity, and we’re only just starting to rev up productivity on a global scale. So, while the available supply of battery metals suddenly plummeted, the recovery has been much more gradual.

You may have read that the price of many second-hand products like used cars and refurbished laptops have become more expensive. The reason is that there simply isn’t enough supply to produce new products. If you’re looking to recycle batteries, this means that your batteries are becoming more valuable as well.

On the demand side, almost every major industry today uses batteries. Battery-powered devices have quickly become part of everyday life, from smartphones to all-electric vehicles (EVs). And while we’re more efficient than ever at mining battery metals, the industry simply hasn’t been able to keep up, even before the pandemic.

On the other hand, advances in battery technology have helped us get more power out of smaller batteries. But until demand starts to level off, expect to see higher market prices for your batteries.

Another thing to keep in mind is that supply and demand aren’t just limited to batteries. For instance, a sudden demand for iron or copper for construction can also affect the local or regional market price of your batteries.

Service Factor: What Added Value Are You Getting From the Recycling Company?

Finally, a good battery recycling company will provide a clear added value to your recycling program, and this will be reflected in the quoted market price for your batteries. Recycling companies can offer services such as:

Quick and flexible pick-up schedules
Attention to detail and compliance with the most current federal, state, and local regulations for battery recycling
Ability to follow your company or government agency procedures about contractor vetting, documentation, and security clearance
Providing detailed documentation and certification that your batteries were recycled according to EPA standards

Battery recycling companies that provide full “white-glove service” can save your organization money and reduce risk in the long term by assuming responsibility for your batteries from the moment they’re picked up.

How You Can Determine the Price of Your Battery Recycling Project Today

Interested in learning more about how much you can get paid for your batteries? The best thing to do is to get in touch with us online for a quote to recycle with us. You can also give us a call at (866) 827 1830.

Warehouse Battery Maintenance Fact Sheet

resim Pashov — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:20:48 +0000

The modern warehouse runs on batteries, no matter how much of a wired power supply it also includes. Batteries are essential for keeping equipment moving around the warehouse without being tethered to a wall outlet through a long and hazardous power cord. Every battery that powers a piece of equipment in the warehouse environment needs some kind of routine maintenance, even if it’s only occasionally needed. Make sure you’re handling all of the common commercial battery systems found in warehouses of all kinds to prevent fire risks and other hazards.

Why is Maintenance So Important?

As with all the other equipment that’s essential in the warehouse, batteries require regular maintenance. Using up commercial batteries until they fail and need replacement is simply too costly for most facilities. With proper handling, rechargeable batteries go from lasting a few months at a time to offering a lifespan of 5 years or longer. Commercial battery systems can cost thousands of dollars to fully replace, so maintenance just a few times per year can produce significant savings in return.

Keeping batteries well-maintained and in circulation for longer also reduces the consumption of raw resources. While that may not directly affect the daily operation of your warehouse floor, it does generate a positive bump in your company’s eco-friendly reputation. Highlighting that you’ve focused on optimizing battery and energy use in your marketing materials to gain a new reputation within your industry. This is especially useful for warehouses in the logistics and retail industries that can get negative press coverage for their energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Battery maintenance is also a safety issue. Damaged or badly maintained commercial batteries, especially the lithium varieties popularly used today in warehouses, create a distinct fire risk. Warehouses full of flammable materials need routine battery maintenance, even more so than other facilities. If the batteries don’t create a direct safety risk for the warehouse, they can still leak and lead to environmental contamination and the hefty fines that come with them. Proper maintenance helps you catch damaged batteries and have them recycled before they become a problem.

Forklift and Pallet Jack Batteries

The equipment doing the majority of the heavy lifting around the warehouse are the forklifts and powered pallet jacks that move individual units around. Most forklifts today use a battery of some kind, no matter their overall power source. Gas-powered forklifts need a traditional lead-acid battery just for starting, but electric forklifts rely entirely on batteries as their power source. Keeping these batteries working properly will ensure that there are no delays in a day’s work due to a lack of working equipment. Forklift and pallet jack batteries need different forms of maintenance depending on their composition.

Lithium-ion Lift and Jack Batteries

These batteries don’t need watering or in-depth discharging and charging routines to keep them running well. Yet they still need a minor amount of maintenance and, more importantly, visual inspections on a regular basis. Check the battery for signs of damage like swelling, leaking, cracking in the case, or trouble holding a charge on a weekly basis at least. High-traffic warehouses may need a daily inspection program for lithium batteries powering forklifts and pallet jacks. Make sure the batteries are cycled so they are charged before dropping below a 20% power level and not charged again until they drop below 70%. Lithium batteries can be wiped down when dusty or dirty with a rag, but they shouldn’t need it regularly as a lead-acid battery might. Ongoing deposits forming on the outside of a lithium battery case could be an indicator that it’s leaking and needs replacement.

Lead-Acid Forklift Batteries

Lead-acid batteries need far more attention than lithium batteries and on a more regular basis. First, make sure the liquid levels stay high enough by routinely opening the cells and adding deionized water until they’re filled to the correct mark. Always add water after charging and not before since the electrolyte solution expands during charging. Most forklift batteries will need water added at least once a week. Other than that, you’ll need to provide what’s known as an equalizing charge at least once a week to once a month, depending on the use of the battery. This is an intentional and controlled overcharged that ensures the cells in the battery won’t hold uneven levels of charge. Finally, wipe any white deposits that collect on the exterior of the case as needed. These occur due to fluid boil-over during charging and fume formation during use, and they’re not always a sign of damage.

Batteries for Small Handheld Devices

Almost all of the rechargeable batteries used for powering smaller handheld devices in the warehouse are lithium-ion types. These batteries need the same basic maintenance as any larger batteries with the same composition. Ensure they’re being charged correctly and have them inspected for swelling and other signs of damage on a regular basis. It’s best if the batteries can be removed for charging for this reason, but many scanners and tracking devices rely on integrated batteries instead that must be managed through the devices themselves. Don’t miss these integrated batteries since they can pose almost as much of a fire or environmental risk as any other battery.

Generator and Backup Power Supply Batteries

Don’t forget about batteries that are part of the power supply and backup system for the warehouse. Refrigerated or climate-controlled warehouses, in particular, tend to rely on extensive generator and battery systems to ensure power fluctuations don’t risk spoilage or product loss. These batteries need to be checked and tested at least twice a year. If they have open cells, test the electrolytes every three to six months and add water as needed. No matter the type of battery, make sure the cables connecting it to the power system or generator are tightly attached and don’t have any cracking on the insulation. New cables can make the entire power supply system more reliable and safer to operate, so plan to replace them after a few years to prevent damage.

Most generator systems advise running the equipment at least once per month to circulate fluids and help prevent blockages. This also helps top up the charge on the battery in the system while refreshing its electrolyte solution. In general, the batteries used in commercial warehouse generators and backup systems don’t need a lot of maintenance unless they see heavy use. In that case, have them tested for reliability and consider replacing them after the number of hours of use recommended by the manufacturer.

Safe Storage for Batteries Out of Active Use

Batteries that aren’t being actively used for forklift operation or powering handheld scanners still need proper storage to prevent damage. Incorrect handling or storage can lead to many risks, including fume inhalation or buildup, corrosion, chances of explosions or fires, and leaks that escape the containment area. Best practices for storing batteries vary a little between different varieties, but most are handled the same way when they’re out of use.

Put up NO SMOKING signs that let employees know that there is a fire and explosion hazard in the battery storage area. Make sure there is no equipment that can create sparks in the room, and keep a Class C dry extinguisher for electrical and chemical fires on hand at all times.
Instruct all employees handling batteries in the storage area or at charging stations to wear eye protection and goggles. This reduces the risk of exposure to acidic or base chemicals from the electrolyte solution in the batteries.
Add extensive ventilation for any room used to store or charge lead-acid batteries. These batteries constantly release fumes that can build up and become hazardous. Active ventilation may be needed if a large number of batteries are stored in a particularly small space.
Set up special seismic protective racks in areas where earthquakes may occur. These racks hold the batteries in place and prevent them from being jostled or smashed into each other.
Install permanent spill containment measures for any area where batteries are stored for long periods of time. The sizing of the containment depends on the number of batteries being stored and their individual volume measurements.

Maintenance of Battery Charging Stations

Battery charging equipment and stations also need maintenance to keep them efficient and safe to operate. If there are any spills or deposits left behind by overflowing lead-acid batteries, clean the material up promptly. Liquids may need to be neutralized with the correct mixture of chemicals, like baking soda and borax, depending on the exact electrolyte composition. Check all wiring on the charging station before charging any batteries. When removing a battery from a charging unit, make sure it is not leaking, swelling, or hot to the touch since these can all indicate a risk of rupture. Keep the room where the batteries charge temperature controlled whenever possible, aiming for a temperature around 77 degrees F for optimal charging speed and capacity.

Calibrate the charging equipment at least once a year if possible. This is handled by a professional service technician, and it’s recommended to keep the charging station running properly without breaking down when it’s needed the most. This kind of maintenance service ensures that any readings on battery health or capacity remain accurate, so you know exactly when it’s time to recondition or replace one of them.

OSHA Requirements for Battery Rooms

All rooms in commercial and industrial settings where batteries are charged and stored are required to have certain safety features. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed standards for worker safety in regard to this specific environment because of its particular hazards.

Ventilation

All unsealed battery types, such as those with cells that are regularly topped up with water, must be charged and stored in a well-ventilated room. The regulations also require efforts made to keep spray or fumes from leaving the room and leaking into other areas.

Floor Construction

Since strong and corrosive acids are so common in battery rooms, the floors in these rooms must be made of a material that resists their damaging effects. Acid-resistant construction or the addition of an acid-resistant barrier will satisfy these requirements.

Truck Protection

If the battery charging or storage area isn’t in its own room or a separate part of the structure, it must be surrounded by bollards, security framing, or other devices to prevent trucks from backing into them. It must also be designed to prevent damage from forklifts and similar equipment.

Set Up for Flushing

Due to the risk of both fire and chemical leaks, the battery storage area must be designed to handle being flushed with water without damage. Floor drains and water-resistant materials are essential for this part of the warehouse, especially if you install automated fire-control sprinklers.

Dealing with Damaged or Depleted Warehouse Batteries

Once batteries reach the end of their working lifespan, no amount of conditioning or overcharging will reset their ability to provide power. Warehouses are demanding environments that can’t handle delays created by waiting for new batteries to arrive. Part of your maintenance program should include checking the dates on batteries and cycling them out of active use if they’re getting old. Identifying damaged or prematurely worn down batteries and replacing them promptly will also keep the workflow going in the warehouse.

Batteries that aren’t needed anymore need to go to a recycling company rather than to the landfill. Not only is it a more eco-friendly choice to recycle them, but it’s almost required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US. All of the batteries used in the warehouse setting, including even smaller packs used on scanners and handheld devices, must be recycled properly by an approved company since they’re considered hazardous waste. Avoid the risk of fines and fees by setting up a simple recycling program with a partner that can handle pickup and disposal.

Battery Recyclers of America has the skills, pickup services, and expertise you need to solve any commercial battery recycling challenges. Choose us to take care of your lithium, lead-acid, and other batteries that have reached the end of their useful lifespan in your facility.

Government Recycling 101

resim Pashov — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 13:16:03 +0000

Understanding today’s regulations and requirements is challenging enough for any organization, but government agencies face additional hurdles. Issues about security clearances, RFP and insurance requirements and long decision times can make it seem impossible to work with a battery recycling company.

The good news is that it is possible for any government agency to recycle their batteries and work with battery recycling companies that specialize in navigating complex processes for becoming an authorized contractor.

This guide explores the basics of battery recycling for government agencies, including why battery recycling is important, how it works, and how your government agency can start recycling batteries today.

Batteries Are Everywhere

Most government agencies don’t feel that they need to worry about battery recycling and disposal because they don’t work with industrial equipment. However, batteries can be found in every modern office, commercial, and industrial setting. Examples include:

Laptops
Agency-owned vehicles
Uninterruptable power supply (UPS) units in server rooms
Water meters

If your government agency owns any of these assets, then you will need to dispose of your batteries properly.

What is Battery Recycling?

Battery recycling is the process of separating old, used batteries into metal and plastic components that can then be reused.

The most common recyclable components of a battery are plastic and battery metal, which could be lead, lithium, or nickel (to name a few examples). Because these metals have recyclable value, battery recycling companies are often willing to pay businesses and government agencies for their used batteries.

There are two main purposes of recycling batteries. First, any hazardous and non-recyclable materials can be properly handled so that they don’t contaminate the soil or local water supply. Second, the recycling process extracts heavy metals in the battery, which can then be processed and reused in future batteries.

The Case for Battery Recycling

There are some compelling reasons to recycle batteries. Since recycling companies are willing to pay market prices for used batteries, recycling can provide a government agency with an additional source of revenue. There is also an environmental incentive to recycle batteries. Improperly disposing of batteries or any hazardous materials threatens local environmental health. Over time, pollution from hazardous materials can contaminate community water supplies, affect agricultural productivity, and threaten local fauna and flora.

Of course, the biggest driver for battery recycling is the current regulatory environment. Government agencies are required to properly dispose of batteries as regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state law.

What is the Cost of Complying With Battery Recycling Regulations?

To understand the cost of compliance for battery recycling, it’s important for government agencies to understand the costs and risks of not complying with federal and state battery recycling regulations — including the risks of serious financial and reputational damage to the agency.

In 2017, Vermont fined Walgreens $20,000 for failing to comply with state law concerning battery recycling and disposal. The penalty was a small one, but it sent a message to businesses everywhere that governments are taking battery recycling laws seriously and are not afraid to hold large corporations accountable for noncompliance.

Another high-profile incident occurred in Germany when US automaker Tesla was fined $14 million for battery recycling noncompliance. While battery recycling laws in Europe are different than in the US, regulations around the world are trending toward more environmental protection rather than less. It’s only a matter of time before American courts start imposing such serious penalties.

Battery Recycling as Risk Management

Battery recycling is more than government compliance. It’s a form of effective risk management.

Government agencies who want to adopt a battery recycling program can choose to deliver their batteries to a disposal facility or work with a recycling company that’s willing to pick up batteries on-site. Choosing the latter option significantly reduces the risk for your government agency, as the battery recycling company assumes all responsibility for the batteries from the moment they’re loaded.

In addition, all industries are facing some regulatory risks as battery recycling regulations in the US are evolving. While it’s impossible to predict what laws will look like in ten or even five years, what seems clear is that there will be more regulation around battery recycling. That’s why it’s important to work with a company that can be trusted to stay current on battery recycling regulations and ensure that your batteries are always recycled safely and legally.

The Battery Recycling Process

The process of recycling batteries can be divided into three major steps:

Collection
Crushing and Sorting
Extraction

Collection

The first step in the battery recycling process is for the recycling company to move batteries from their disposal points to a recycling facility. Government agencies are usually responsible for bringing their batteries to a disposal facility. However, some recycling companies provide pickup services that save your agency from the cost and stress of transporting batteries.

Recycling companies with pickup services usually offer centralized pickup, meaning that your agency is in charge of sending batteries to a single on-site location chosen at your convenience. This is the most efficient method of battery disposal, but it may not work for agencies with multiple or remote sites.

When centralized pickup isn’t practical, then it’s important to work with a recycling company that can provide on-site pickup at individual locations.

Battery Recyclers of America is a battery recycling company, which means that we’re directly responsible for the safe collection and transport of your batteries from your locations to the recycling facility. We work with trusted partners who take over the rest of the battery recycling process.

Crushing and Sorting

Once the batteries arrive at the recycling facility, they need to be sorted so that the different materials can be properly treated and recycled. Heavy lead-acid batteries are first crushed into fragments in hammer mills before being sorted.

Both plastics and metals can be recovered from old batteries and recycled. Sorted metals are taken to undergo the final part of the recycling process.

Extraction

The purpose of extraction is to separate the most valuable metals from the rest of the battery as well as from each other. Depending on the battery type, the recycling facility will use smelting, chemical processes, or both to refine the metals contained in the batteries.

The result of the battery recycling process is recyclable plastic as well as lead, lithium, iron, nickel, and magnesium, which can all be reused to produce new batteries.

What Kinds of Government Agencies Do You Serve?

We work with government agencies, municipalities, and utilities around the country. Some of our current clients include the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the city of San Diego, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and the state of Alaska.

If you work for a government or government-owned agency, then chances are that we can recycle your batteries.

Can You Take All the Battery Types I Have?

Most likely! We accept a wide variety of battery types and chemistries. Here are just a few examples:

Lead-acid batteries

Absolyte
Electric vehicle (EV)
Telecom
UPS
Forklift and Industrial

Lithium-ion batteries

EVs and hybrid vehicles
Cell phones and rechargeable devices
Lithium iron phosphate
Lithium polymer

Other battery types

Alkaline
Nickel cadmium (Nicad) batteries
Water meter batteries
Nickel metal hydride
Zinc

Check here for a full list of the battery types we recycle.

We have a government RFP Process. Can You Complete the Necessary Paperwork and Insurance?

Yes, we are happy to respond to RFPs, obtain security clearances, apply to become an authorized third-party vendor, provide extensive levels of insurance, or meet any other requirements that your government agency may have.

Battery Recyclers of America works only with the most trusted contractors in the industry, and each of our vendors is regularly vetted for the right certifications and insurance policies. We understand that your government agency is committed to doing the same, which is why we’re willing to work with you to comply with your expectations for contractors.

We Have Requirements for the Drivers Who Come on Site. Can You Fulfill Those Requirements?

We understand that some government agency locations have special requirements and restrictions for third-party contractors that drive on-site. We can work with you to safely collect your batteries while complying with driver requirements.

Our team already works with government agencies and municipalities around the country, and we’re experienced in coordinating security clearances, safety protocols, parking restrictions, and other on-site requirements. We’ll also schedule a pickup time that works best for you, and we can even help with preparing and palletizing your batteries.

Our goal is to make our clients’ lives as stress-free as possible and to take care of the entire process from start to finish — leaving you to focus on more important tasks.

How Much Will I Get Paid for These Batteries?

The market price for batteries is dynamic and can change even from day to day. In general, battery market prices are affected by:

Raw material prices: The type and quantity of metals will have a big influence on the market price of your batteries. Raw material prices are set by regional and global exchanges, such as the London Metal Exchange (LME).
Supply and demand: As battery technologies improve, more and more industries are turning to battery applications, increasing demand along with battery prices. At the same time, the major supply chain disruptions from the recent pandemic have made the supply of new batteries less reliable, which has also increased the market price of recycled batteries.
Local considerations: Local demand for certain metals, temporary disruptions to nearby transport networks, and other local events can affect the market price of your batteries.

Our quotes for battery recycling are by the pound — higher volumes mean more favorable pricing to recycle your batteries. And you can rest assured that we’ll always offer competitive pricing in the industry for your batteries.

When Will I Get Paid for These Batteries?

After we pick up your batteries, we’ll confirm the final weight before issuing your payment and recycling certificate. We always aim to process your payment as efficiently as possible — we believe that you should get paid for your batteries as quickly as we recycle them.

Do I Have to Pay Anything for Battery Recycling?

In most cases, you won’t have to pay anything to recycle your batters. We’ll be the ones paying you. However, in some cases, we may need to charge if the battery volume is too low.

If you’re not sure whether you have enough volume to get paid to recycle your batteries, get in touch with us today for a quote.

How Do I Know You Are Going to Recycle My Batteries Responsibly?

Of course, every customer we work with is interested in ensuring that we do what we promise to do — to recycle all batteries responsibly. After all, improper battery recycling practices can put your organization’s reputation on the line as much as ours.

When you recycle your batteries with us, you’ll receive an official recycling certificate, which serves as a paper trail for our recycling activities. Each recycling certificate will indicate the following:

Date of pickup
Battery generator
Bill of lading
Relevant job and/or purchase order numbers
Type(s) of batteries recycled
Received weight
EPA identification number of the smelting facility
Official authorization and signature by Battery Recyclers of America

Your battery recycling certificate also serves as proof that your batteries were received and recycled in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

Do You Have Nationwide Capability?

Yes, our battery pickup service is available in all 50 states. We don’t even need a street address — send us the latitude and longitude of your batteries, and we’ll be there.

How Can My Government Agency Get a Quote for Battery Recycling?

The fastest way to get a quote for battery recycling is to fill out our 30-second form. Once we have details such as your location, battery types, and total volume, we’ll let you know how much you’ll get paid for your batteries and schedule a pickup time at your convenience. You can also give us a call at (866) 230 8641.

Considerations for Recycling Water Meter Batteries

resim Pashov — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:07:03 +0000

Batteries are all around us, and we rely on their ability to hold power and recharge even when we don’t realize they’re doing it. The batteries found in water meters and other utility metering devices are a great example. Few people aside from those working at the utility companies know they are there unless something goes wrong. When there’s a battery issue, the water meter may fail to record the amount of water being used by the customer. In the worst-case scenario, the meter may shut off and fail to operate if its battery pack dies out. Of course, all batteries wear out over time. When it comes time for your utility provider to finally upgrade or at least replace all of the batteries in water meters across the city, make sure you’re handling those batteries correctly to avoid EPA and state fines.

Today’s Smart Meters

Decades ago, water meters were largely power-free devices that relied on mechanical methods of recording the volume of water used by a home or business. This had some benefits of simplicity and easy repairs, but it required manual checking to report accurate readings of water usage every single month. A trained professional had to physically drive and walk to each meter on every structure receiving water service. As populations grow in cities and counties across the country, it simply became unfeasible for water suppliers to hire and manage that number of “meter readers,” as they were colloquially known. That’s where the breakthrough of the smart water meter came in.

Adding a battery and some kind of radio or other transmission method allowed for a much faster method of getting accurate readings from the meters. Instead of a worker having to park as close as possible and then walk to the meter, a truck could simply drive around and pick up the readings via the signaling system. Early models could only transmit their signal a mile or two, requiring some manual reading in rural areas. Today’s smart meters can often transmit the reading all the way to a central recording system regardless of the distance, reducing the need for physical access on a monthly basis.

Smart water meters offer a number of benefits to the utility provider, including:

Reduction in labor costs and labor force numbers for manual meter readings
Less wear and tear on service vehicles
Only occasional repair is needed or battery replacement every 5 to 10 years
More accurate readings and less opportunity for fraud or alteration
Alerts if the meter is tampered with or offline due to damage
Easy tracking of customer usage over the months and years
Hard-to-dispute records since there is no human error capable during transmission
Better measurements of small levels of water use or occasional use by a seasonal facility.

But they also benefit the home or business owner as well. Buildings equipped with smart water meters:

Can often connect to apps to help track water usage as it occurs
May receive alerts from the utility company if your water usage goes up unusually, helping you locate leaks and other issues
Set up clear records of seasonal water use so you can make plans for future costs
Encourage greater savings on water use by helping you pinpoint when it’s used the most
Help you stay on top of water restrictions and gives you clear proof you didn’t violate any local regulations.

EPA Regulations

The only issue with smart water meters comes when it’s time to replace the battery inside of them. This is unavoidable as of yet because all of today’s battery technology has a limited lifespan due to the breakdown of the electrolytes inside each unit. While lithium-ion batteries can last a decade or more in these utility applications, they’ll eventually need replacement to keep the smart meter running smoothly. Many older smart meters with limited transmission range are also being swapped out completely for newer models that transmit data directly to the main servers for the utility company. In that case, the battery inside still needs proper handling and disposal. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates the handling and recycling requirements for all of the batteries used in water meters and other utility meters through the Universal Waste Program and its related regulations.

In general, any material that is hazardous to human life or the environment is regulated in some way under this program. That includes all the commercial batteries used in water meters today. The exact EPA regulations related to your water meters will depend on the type of battery used inside it. Even some older models may require special handling during disposal if they contain any hazardous elements. State regulations can also vary, so you’ll need to work with a battery recycler that understands the specific rules affecting your utility company. Meeting EPA regulations but failing to follow more local waste-handling laws could lead to costly fines. You’ll need to send all hazardous materials to an EPA-approved waste handling facility, preferably to a company that achieves high recovery rates of valuable materials. Instead of trying to pick through the various regulations that might apply on both the federal and state level to your battery replacement project, let us handle the details here at Battery Recyclers of America.

Types of Batteries

Modern smart meters tend to rely most commonly on lithium-ion batteries. These batteries offer a longer lifespan than most older options because they can handle more charge and discharge cycles. However, they tend to need replacement anywhere from every 5 to 10 years, depending on the size, demand, and composition. Today’s batteries offer a longer lifespan for water meters and other smart meters, so upgrading now can put off problems with inaccuracy or disconnects for many years to come.

Single-cell batteries were commonly used in early smart meter models, but they tended to offer only enough power to operate radio frequency systems with relatively short transmission distances. Multi-cell lithium battery systems allow for greater range, much like with a cell phone’s transmission. These batteries also tend to last 10 years or more in real service conditions. Moving up from single cell to more dynamic lithium batteries can improve water meter performance and reduce the need for local collection of radio-transmitted data.

These meters need more than just batteries to transmit the data to track how much water is used at each connection. Circuit boards, wiring, and transmission equipment are all built in as well. These materials must be separated out when smart meters are replaced entirely and not just upgraded with new battery units. Advanced recycling programs will capture all of the valuable materials within each smart meter, sending them off for reuse as appropriate. Even the steel in the case of the water meter can be recaptured and returned to the material stream for new manufacturing.

Issues with Damaged Batteries

Once lithium batteries become damaged or reach the end of their lifespan, the water meter will begin to malfunction. If you’re noticing error issues with transmission from more than just a few meters per month, you may need to undertake a battery replacement campaign. Yet it’s not just the issues with data collecting that should drive battery replacement. If the batteries are allowed to degrade, they can leak hazardous fluids or overheat and damage the rest of the water meter. To avoid more costly and complex water meter replacement, it’s best to keep the battery changed out regularly and to at least check the battery for any sign of trouble with it.

Even once the water meter batteries are removed from the meters, they can be hazards while storing them for proper disposal. Leaks are always a potential issue with any battery relying on liquid catalysts, including lithium batteries commonly used in these meters. Another issue with lithium-ion batteries, in particular, is the potential for fire. Storing a number of damaged or aging batteries together in the same place, especially if they have more than 50% charge on them and the conditions are hot, can lead to explosions and fire. Prompt and direct recycling is the safest way to handle these batteries, especially if it’s hard to measure and track the exact amount of charge left in each one.

Don’t leave your water customers struggling with meters that aren’t sending out correct readings or that are limiting their use through outages. Replace the batteries routinely to keep the entire meter reporting system running as smoothly as possible for everyone.

Massive Replacement Campaigns

It’s best not to wait until customers are reporting issues or maintenance teams have to work on equipment more often than usual. Instead, aim to replace batteries through the water meter system a year or two before their expected end of operating life. This allows for the work to be completed in stages rather than all at once. When it’s time to upgrade the entire meter rather than just the battery, the volume and weight of the recycled material will be far greater. Make sure the recycling company you choose to partner with for this kind of project can handle the volume you’re producing.

Larger cities and highly populated counties may need to replace thousands of batteries within a relatively short time period. This has happened recently in Kingsport, TN, where the city had to replace tens of thousands of meter batteries within an 18-month period because of unexpected early failures. Despite expecting 20 years of performance from the meters without the need for battery replacement, the batteries began to fail around the 11-year mark. That’s a normal expected lifespan for most lithium batteries used in these meters. Preemptively replacing batteries at the decade mark on all smart water meters can prevent customer complaints due to measurement issues and the high costs of massive and fast-paced replacement campaigns.

Other issues can complicate the replacement of water battery meters, including:

The need to excavate to reach buried or concrete-encased meters
Inaccurate records of where all water meters are located
Fit issues between the replacement battery units and the spaces used by the old batteries
Handling and storage of the batteries before they’re sent off for recycling.

Pairing with a battery recycling company that guides you through the water meter replacement process will make everything go much smoother at the end at least.

The Need for Accurate Records

Water meters must produce accurate records, even if they’re designed to transmit data over long distances. Customers often check their bills regularly and will dispute any charges that don’t match their own records of usage over the month. One of the main causes of inaccurate reporting from a smart water meter is a damaged or dying battery unit. When it fails to provide enough power, transmission can fail or repeat data from a previous month. The error may be in the customer’s favor, making it harder for your utility company to turn a profit. Establishing an accurate record of customer water use works best when the batteries are kept updated so that the meters don’t stop reporting. It’s always possible to check the manual readings when the digital transmission method has failed, but this requires more labor on top of making the repairs. Keeping batteries replaced in the first place is a far better practice than trying to catch up on putting in new units once problems have emerged in record keeping.

Smart meters are a good choice for today’s most complex water management issues, such as submetering that’s required in California to pinpoint water misuse during drought restrictions. Yet if they’re going to be used, they must be maintained and renovated regularly to prevent issues after a decade or more of service.

When you’re ready to remove old batteries or entire smart water units, turn to us here at Battery Recyclers of America for assistance. We are experts in meeting all of the EPA’s many requirements for the safe handling and recycling of lithium batteries and many other types. No matter what kind of water meter you’re removing, we can help with the process by providing prompt pickup and sorting.