Where to recycle used batteries and make money from it

It is necessary to hand over batteries to collection points to protect the environment from negative impacts. When creating batteries, components that are harmful to nature are used. In Russia, waste collection is poorly organized, so it is important to know how to dispose of used batteries.

Why is it important to recycle batteries?

Proper disposal of batteries and accumulators is necessary, since when thrown away they cause irreparable damage to the environment. Regardless of whether the device lies in the ground or is burned, it releases harmful components. With precipitation and groundwater, toxic substances spread through the soil and harm plants. When a battery expires, you need to dispose of it properly.

Even a small device can cause harm:

• earth;
• groundwater;
• atmosphere;
• microorganisms

Toxic elements can be present in water even after purification and enter the human body.Therefore, getting rid of batteries is not only a matter of environmental safety, but also of human health.

In nature, nutrients take more than 100 years to decompose. One AA battery can infect 20 square meters of land. Each person uses at least 7 power devices every year. All of them, thrown into nature, will send soil, water, and atmosphere.

3 stages of battery recycling

Timely recycling of old batteries includes storage, sorting, and recycling. Regardless of the type of marking, batteries are sent for recycling through special organizations.

Three stages of the fight against spent elements:

• put used items in one place;
• keep away from children, out of direct sunlight;
• The container with used batteries is taken to a collection point.

You can transfer it to a mobile collection point or use the services of a hazardous waste collection company.More often they are taken to shopping centers and large stores where thematic collection points are installed. Before being transferred to the point, potentially toxic items should be stored in a closed container, which will not be exposed to sunlight, which provokes the release of toxic substances.

Battery collection points

Recycling of food sources can be done through donation to environmental activist organizations. In stores, parks, and shopping centers there are boxes where you can empty hazardous items intended for recycling. After collection, they will be taken to special enterprises for subsequent disposal and recycling of used devices.

Large retail chain stores such as Auchan, Vkusville, Eldorado accept used batteries. Special bins are placed on the territory of the store, at the entrance, or notices are posted so that people hand over recyclable items to the checkout. In well-known networks, used batteries are collected in thematic boxes.

Large collection points in Russia are found only in large cities. Delivery is carried out free of charge or for money. Addresses can be found on the Internet by searching for your locality. Since the country does not have a separate law that provides for liability for throwing old devices into the trash, specialized points are not popular.

Where can you sell batteries for money?

Special organizations collect AA batteries for money. There is no need to think about where to dispose of used power sources; just contact the organization. It is possible to either take dangerous devices to a collection point or order a courier to arrive.But they pay either pennies, or all the work is done only for the idea.

What to do if the recycling point is far away

You can’t throw away batteries, but it’s not always possible to send them for recycling. It is especially difficult for residents of small towns, remote towns and villages. There are no boxes or collection points; organizations that collect toxic waste rarely come here.

Important! You can reach an agreement with representatives of companies that recycle batteries, ask them to set up a special collection point, or transport hazardous items yourself.

Previously, it was possible to send used devices by Russian Post, but now the management has prohibited the shipment of components. Therefore, you can only take it yourself, ask a friend who regularly travels to the city. You can arrange temporary storage of dangerous devices yourself before moving them to a recycling facility.

How to organize a collection yourself

Used devices should not be thrown away. But people neglect this rule because in most small towns there are not enough gathering places. You can organize the collection of devices that are toxic to nature yourself:

1. Contact the administration of the shopping center, shopping center, shops. Write an application and agree on the installation of a special container.
2. After installing the container, post announcements, signs, and send a post to the city group so that people know where they can drop off dangerous items.
3. The more places for battery collection are advertised, the more people will use them.

It is permissible to collect them for disposal yourself, putting them in plastic or glass containers.When you have collected enough, take it to the recycling point yourself. As an example, you can take the “Save the Hedgehog” campaign.

Disposal at home

Due to the difficulties that arise when finding a place to return it, the question arises whether it is possible to destroy or secure the devices at home. But you can’t get rid of the devices yourself.

Important! Any methods of independently destroying power sources are potentially dangerous and may cause harm to health.

Recycling and destruction of batteries and accumulators on an industrial scale is an expensive process that requires specialized equipment that reduces harm to nature to zero. At home, it is impossible to carry out complete processing without toxic poisoning for the body and the environment.

It is better to collect the devices in containers, and then, when the container is full, take them and pour them into the box. For storage, use sealed plastic or glass containers, which are installed in places without direct sunlight. The storage location should also not be exposed to heat, as changes in temperature can cause the release of harmful substances.

How batteries are recycled

Donating potentially toxic items is necessary not only to protect the environment. Harmful elements contained in the device lose their toxic properties after exposure. They are used for secondary use.

Extracted lead is used in the production of glass and ceramics, creating consumables. Graphite and manganese are used as components for the creation of industrial paints, lubricants and oils, and are widely used in printing.Recycled zinc is used in agriculture and the pharmaceutical industry.

Processing is carried out using the following equipment:

• a hammer mill crushes and grinds batteries;
• containers are used to store leftovers;
• a conveyor delivers elements from one tank to another;
• an electromagnetic separator is involved in the sorting process;
• A vibrating sieve allows you to sort particles by size.

All elements are connected by a control panel that monitors processes. This is basic equipment, the larger the recycling plant, the more devices are used to obtain the maximum number of items that are useful for recycling. Anything that is not used in secondary production is first de-hazardous and then destroyed.

This is how the company first sorts the collected items. Then they are crushed and the iron shells are collected with a magnet. Then they are washed from the electrolyte and non-ferrous metals are removed. Using filtration, elements that are suitable for recycling are isolated.

Recycling in three steps

Each device is marked. There are alkaline, lithium, salt, mercury-zinc, and silver batteries. Used devices must be taken to the collection point.

All recycling can be divided into 3 steps:

1. Find a place. On the Internet, in thematic groups, you can find the addresses of enterprises and organizations that collect. You can get rid of batteries in stores and departments of large retail chains.
2. Assemble devices. You can collect it yourself, or organize a collection from neighbors and acquaintances.They are carried both in a special container for batteries (a plastic container with compartments and handles) and in sealed boxes.
3. Take it to the point and hand it over to a specialist. If disposal is carried out in a special box, then the batteries are simply poured inside, regardless of the marking. In cooperation with the organization, acceptance is carried out by an employee who immediately performs sorting.

Collection for recycling can be arranged at the place where the person works. Place a special container or tank for receiving. You can remove filled tanks yourself, or if there is a special organization for collecting hazardous waste, then go there regularly. Export of a certain amount is free of charge.

Promotions worth knowing about

Batteries are classified as toxic waste. They can pollute up to 400 liters of water. Pollution occurs with varying intensity, gradually over 100 years. Therefore, you should not throw it in the trash. In Russia, the organization for collecting toxic waste is imperfect, so it is worth knowing about the events that are regularly held in cities.

The most popular promotion is “Donate a Battery and Save a Hedgehog.” Activists and environmentalists who care about the state of the environment popularize the correct disposal of batteries and power supplies. Activists called the action this way because the battery pollutes 20 square meters of land, 400 liters of water, the home of one hedgehog, several moles and trees. Both individual activists, organizations and companies are joining the action.

The well-known campaign “Turn in your battery - Save nature.” There are also regular battery collection weeks. Unfortunately, such events are held only in large cities.The collection of hazardous elements is often organized by device manufacturers themselves. So in stores you can find special containers for recycling from the Duracell company.

How to minimize harm

Old devices are handed over to a recycling site. You can organize self-collection and then transfer it to the collection point. Activists propose the following steps to minimize harm to the environment:

1. More often use devices that operate on mains power rather than on batteries. Manufacturers offer alternatives for toys, lamps, and devices that can operate from the network or USB.
2. Use batteries that are charged from a battery. This will allow the reuse of potentially hazardous items.
3. Expand children's knowledge about the dangers of devices. From childhood, children need to be taught that they should not throw away batteries. It is useful to visit collection points with them and empty the devices into containers.
4. Organize collections at local stores, schools, and businesses. Every battery collected and sent for recycling is a contribution to environmental conservation.

Environmental projects help children learn about the dangers to nature. Adults should also be involved in protecting the environment. Therefore, it is important to use any means to minimize harm from potentially dangerous devices.

Questions and answers

Is it possible to make money by recycling batteries?

Some organizations pay per kilogram of food sources. As an alternative, it is permissible to organize collection for recycling yourself, and then return it for money.

Where to store batteries at home?

For storage use sealed plastic or glass containers. The container must be sealed tightly.Do not allow moisture, exposure to direct sunlight, or heat. These factors can trigger the release of harmful properties. It is acceptable to use special containers for storing batteries, which are divided into sections.

Is labeling important?

Labeling is important only at the enterprise itself. For the average person, the procedure for recycling batteries comes down to collecting the devices, storing them, and delivering them to the collection point.

Is it possible to get rid of the device yourself at home?

Any methods of recycling batteries that are found on the Internet are potentially dangerous. When burned, destroyed, under pressure, or exposed to temperatures, harmful substances are released that poison the body. There is no point in recycling yourself. It is better to take it to the collection point.

AA batteries, batteries, and accumulators pollute the environment. They negatively affect the land, groundwater, animals, plants, rivers, and the atmosphere. To protect nature, it is necessary to properly dispose of hazardous elements. This can be done in large supermarkets, using special bins for collecting devices.