Batteries used in most automotive applications are of the lead-acid type. This includes cars, trucks (all sizes), wheelchairs, tractors, golf carts, motorcycles, and more. They usually are rectangular, and contain many plates, sulfuric acid, and often both bolt down and clamp on terminals. In most cases they are used to provide starting power, and beyond that the vehicles generate their own. This isn’t the case with wheelchairs and golf carts.
While nearly all batteries on the market now are sealed, there is still the potential for them to become cracked, or broken. This will allow the acid to leak out and can cause problems. On human skin it can potentially burn or cause other injuries. It can also contaminate the environment.
There are 2 good reasons for the move to recycle these batteries. The commonly known one is the potential reuse of old materials rather than wasting new ones. The biggest reason though, is safety. With the potential for contamination of living things as well as the environment, recycling is the best way to capture and contain the harmful pollutants such as the sulfuric acid, and the plates resulting from long term use of it. Also the battery terminals are made out of lead that can be harmful.
Actually many things can’t be totally recycled without using new material as well. When it comes to reuse, the battery contains plastic, various metals such as zinc, copper, nickel, lead, of which there are various means to their reuse.
The plastic can be ground down and often 15-30% of it can be mixed in with fresh material on new products. Often though in critical plastics and medical supplies, much less is allowed, if any.
There may be other uses for the sulfuric acid, or it may simply be contained. There are many laws regarding the storage of hazardous chemicals, and no doubt they apply to the batteries acid.
The other metals may be melted down and mixed again with fresh ones for reuse, provided all contaminants from the battery environment can be burned off or otherwise separated.
Nearly all sources for these batteries can take the old ones in as well. In many cases they charge you an extra “core charge” if you don’t bring an old one in. This is one way of encouraging recycling and a cleaner environment. When taking them in, take care to avoid acid if it is leaking. Often there will be signs of corrosion if this is the case. Baking soda (or calcium carbonate) mixed with water will clean and flush the corrosion off, and dilute the acid, but avoid it.
If you get acid on yourself, you should wash it out immediately and for a lengthened period of time (5-15 minutes at least). If effects persist (such as burning, heavy redness or blistering), you should seek immediate medical attention.
Statistics show that 96% of all lead is eventually recycled. This includes that found in these batteries. If everyone turned in their old batteries that only risk trouble and have no hope to be useful, there might be a better environment in the long run, at minimum, a little less junk, and the injuries that might occur from it. |
