Tag: ev batteries

6 Types of Batteries that are Recyclable

6 Types of Batteries that are Recyclable

Companies often rely on batteries to power day-to-day operations. In fact, the global battery market is about $50 billion US, of which roughly $5.5 billion is allocated to rechargeable (secondary) batteries.  

Battery users typically replace their obsolete or spent batteries after aging, overuse, or overcharging occurs. Most commonly, these batteries are thrown in the company’s trash then later found in a landfill. 

Interco recycles batteries of all shapes, sizes, and chemistry. Despite the potential recycling value, battery users are often unaware of the proper ways to dispose of a battery. So, when considering disposal methods, it is important first to know what kind of battery your company is disposing of. 

Batteries to Buy or Sell at a Recycling Center 

Battery manufacturers produce several types of batteries. The most important step to support the safe disposal of scrap or expired batteries is to sort them by type. Each battery chemistry has a different process for recycling and disposal and mixing them can be dangerous. With systems in place to recycle or otherwise safely dispose of batteries, Interco provides a secure and lucrative recycling process. 

Absolyte Batteries 
Absolyte Batteries 

1. Absolyte Batteries 

Interco recycles Absolyte batteries. These batteries are often used in cell phone backups and could sometimes have a negative chargeback for recycling these properly. The Absolyte sealed battery provides industrial quality, high capacity, sealed maintenance-free battery. The design of the battery itself enables longevity and cycling. These batteries contain acid, lead, copper, steel outside cases, and are generally housed in steel cases. Absolyte batteries can enter the recycling process, which best fit for professional recyclers.

Alkaline Batteries 
Alkaline Batteries 

2. Alkaline Batteries 

Interco recycles Alkaline batteries. Alkaline batteries are the most common household batteries typically used in everyday handheld devices. These devices can include Bluetooth keyboards and mice, children toys, tv remotes, smoke detectors, some digital cameras, and more. These batteries contain zinc and manganese; thus, the retrieval process can be costly. Even though it is the most common household battery, because of the chemistry in alkaline, there is little to no monetary value, so there’s generally a charge to recycle this type of battery. 

Lead Acid Batteries
Lead Acid Batteries

3. Lead Acid Batteries

Interco recycles lead-acid batteries. There are two types of lead-acid batteries: starting batteries and deep-cycle batteries. A starting battery quickly delivers a large burst of power to help an engine start. A deep-cycle battery delivers a continuous low level of power to help an engine keep operating. These batteries, that are widely used in the automotive industry, can cause environmental problems if not recycled properly. Lead-acid batteries contain large quantities of lead and sulfuric acid, therefore requiring a safe disposal method. 

4. Lithium-Ion Batteries 
4. Lithium-Ion Batteries 

4. Lithium-Ion Batteries 

Interco recycles lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries contain rich minerals and valuable metals like cobalt, nickel, and copper that allow for further manufacturing if recycled. They are not only used for small household devices, but also used as batteries for electric vehicles. Interco just so happens to be the largest EV battery recycler in North America. That is because valuable metals and other materials from lithium-ion batteries can be recovered, processed, and reused. Furthermore, the recycling process of lithium-ion batteries converts almost everything back into usable raw material.  

Nickel-cadmium (NiCad) Batteries
Nickel-cadmium Batteries

5. Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) Batteries 

Interco recycles nickel-cadmium batteries. NiCad batteries are widely in use for medical devices, alarm systems and emergency lighting, and power tools. These batteries are virtually 100% recyclable once they have been collected. In fact, cadmium is a toxic heavy material that can cause harm to the environment. Therefore, it is important to work with a trusted professional battery recycling company to ensure that proper care is taken during battery disposal. Companies who are looking to recycle these batteries should look for a company who ensures safe recycling processes.

Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries

6. Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMh) Batteries 

Interco recycles nickel-metal hydride batteries. NiMH batteries utilize a combination of nickel and hydrogen. The batteries are often used in consumer goods and electronics, newer digital cameras, and other high-drain devices. Interco recycles NiMH batteries mainly to recover the nickel content. 

When thrown in the company waste stream, batteries end up in landfills. As a result, Interco performs the recycling process for lithium-ion batteries carefully on a facility comprised of five buildings — approximately 400,000 square feet total — on more than 35 acres. Consequently, companies should recycle batteries for several reasons. In fact, recycling batteries helps the environment by keeping hazardous material out of landfills and reduces the need to mine elemental metals for industrial production needs.  

Interco Recycles Many Types of Batteries

Overall, Interco will recycle various types of batteries for reuse purposes. Recycling enables the recovery of valuable metals and reduces the harmful effects on the environment that improper disposal causes. Additionally, the team at Interco accepts, processes, trades, and recycles an array of nonferrous metals. Interco recycles batteries of all shapes, sizes, and chemistry. Thus, the team at Interco continues to lead the way in terms of innovative industrial recycling solutions. Consequently, to discover more about how to recycle lithium-ion batteries, click here.  

Why Should You Recycle EV Batteries?

EV batteries are a lithium based rechargeable battery that contain nickel, cobalt and copper. They are the main power source of:

Why Should You Recycle EV Batteries?
  • Electric vehicles
  • Solar power storage
  • Emergency power backups (UPS)
  • Power tools

Over time, these batteries wear down and must be replaced. This usually happens because of aging, overuse and overcharging. So, these scrap EV batteries must be disposed of. This is where EV battery recycling companies play their part by performing the process of recycling EV batteries.

Before breaking down the recycling process, it is imperative to understand why this process is so important.

The Importance of EV Battery Recycling

Recycling EV batteries helps the environment by reusing materials and diminishing pollution. Some valuable and reusable materials contained within EV batteries include:

Why Should You Recycle EV Batteries?
  • Nickel
  • Cobalt
  • Copper

These materials are scarce and can be reused for several items including new EV batteries. Also, this leads to an overall smaller landfill population which causes a decrease in pollution. There is also an opportunity to make a profit by selling scrap EV batteries to companies like Interco instead of just tossing them and making no profit.

Additionally, there has been a giant push by people, governments and different organizations to strive for a greener world. One significant way to improve this is by selling, purchasing and recycling EV batteries.

Now that the importance of recycle scrap EV batteries has been examined, it is vital to be familiar with the recycling process.

The Process of EV Battery Recycling

To achieve these positive environmental benefits, there are several steps to follow:

Why Should You Recycle EV Batteries?
  • First, EV battery recycling companies buy or sell scrap EV Batteries. Because of this, companies get a hold of cobalt, nickel and copper.
  • Then, the recycler deactivates the batteries. This must happen for the process to begin.
  • Furthermore, the EV batteries are placed in a special room. Because of this, the room is oxygen-free.
  • Next, the procedure of extracting metals from their ores (hydrometallurgy) occurs.
  • Subsequently, the process of using aqueous solutions to extract metal from other metal bearing materials (leaching) occurs.
  • After this, the recycler separates the battery components into three different categories. These categories are cobalt, steel and aluminum, copper and plastic.
  • Finally, recycling companies sell these recycled materials.

Recycling EV batteries helps protect the environment by reusing its valuable materials and diminishing pollution. Also, there is an opportunity to make money by selling scrap EV batteries to services like Interco. To manufacture EV batteries, it is vital for people to sell their EV batteries to EV battery recycling companies. Interco also purchases EV batteries for consumers to power vehicles.

Conclusion

Overall, EV batteries have an abundance of rare and reusable parts including copper, cobalt and nickel. Recycling EV batteries reuses these materials, reduces overall pollution and even provides an opportunity to earn a profit through selling scrap EV batteries. Interco also sells EV batteries to interested consumers.

If you are interested in EV battery recycling, click here to get in touch with Interco.

How to Recycle EV Batteries: The Process

EV batteries are a lithium based rechargeable battery that contains nickel, cobalt and copper. They are the main power source of:

How to Recycle EV Batteries: The Process

After a while, these batteries wear down and must be replaced. This typically happens because of aging, overuse and overcharging. Therefore, manufacturers and consumers must discard these scrap EV batteries. This is where EV battery recycling companies perform their job. These EV battery recycling companies follow the EV battery recycling process.

The Process of Recycling EV Batteries

There are numerous steps to follow in order to reuse the scarce materials within EV batteries:

How to Recycle EV Batteries: The Process
  • First, EV battery recycling companies buy or sell scrap EV batteries. As a result, these companies get a hold of cobalt, nickel and copper.
  • After this, the batteries are deactivated. This must happen in order for the process to begin.
  • Subsequently, the EV batteries are placed in a specialized room. Because of this, the room is oxygen-free.
  • Then, the procedure of extracting metals from their ores (hydrometallurgy) occurs.
  • Furthermore, the process of using aqueous solutions to extract metal from other metal bearing materials (leaching) occurs.
  • Next, the battery components are separated into three different categories. These categories are cobalt, steel, and aluminum, copper and plastic.
  • Lastly, EV battery recycling companies sell these recycled materials.

EV battery recycling helps protect the environment by reusing their valuable materials and reducing pollution. Additionally, there is a chance for a potential profit by selling scrap EV batteries to recycling services like Interco. In order to manufacture EV batteries, it is crucial that people sell EV batteries to professional recyclers. One can also purchase EV batteries from Interco in order to power vehicles.

Now that the process of recycling EV batteries has been examined, why is this procedure important?

The Importance of Recycling EV batteries

Recycling scrap EV batteries helps the environment by reusing materials and diminishing pollution. Some of these valuable, reusable materials that EV batteries contain are:

How to Recycle EV Batteries: The Process
  • Nickel
  • Cobalt
  • Copper

These materials are rare and are common in the production of new items including new EV batteries. Additionally, this leads to an overall smaller landfill population which causes pollution decrease. There is also a chance to make some money by selling scrap EV batteries to companies like Interco whereas throwing them out has no consumer benefit.

Also, there has been a significant push by people, governments and different organizations to strive for a greener world. One large way to take a step in the right direction is by selling, purchasing and recycling EV batteries.

Conclusion

As a whole, EV batteries have numerous scarce and reusable parts including copper, cobalt and nickel. EV battery recycling helps to reuse these materials, reduce overall pollution and even provides the opportunity to make money. You can even buy EV batteries from services like Interco if you are interested.

To learn more, click here to contact Interco.

Electrical Vehicle Battery Scrap

Recycling EV Battery Scrap

What are EV Batteries?

EV batteries are a lithium based rechargeable battery that contain nickel, cobalt and copper. Recycling EV batteries helps protects the environment by reusing their valuable materials and diminishing pollution. Also, there is potential to make a profit by selling scrap EV batteries to recycling services like Interco. To make new EV batteries, it is important that people sell EV batteries to professional recyclers. It is also possible to purchase EV batteries from Interco to power vehicles. EV batteries are the main power source of:

Recycling EV Batteries
  • Electric vehicles
  • Solar power storage
  • Emergency power backups (UPS)
  • Power tools

Eventually, these batteries wear down and consumers must replace them. This is typically due to aging, overuse and overcharging. As a result, EV battery recycling companies come into the picture.

However, it is also important to comprehend the EV battery recycling process.

The EV Battery Recycling Process

In order to obtain the valuable reusable materials of EV batteries, there are several steps to follow:

Recycling EV Batteries
  1. First, recycling companies buy or sell scrap EV batteries. As a result, these recycling companies get cobalt, nickel and copper.
  2. Then, the batteries are deactivated. This happens before the process begins.
  3. After this, the EV batteries are placed in a specialized, oxygen-free room.
  4. Subsequently, the recycler begins the process of extracting metals from their ores (hydrometallurgy).
  5. Next, the process of using aqueous solutions to extract metal from other metal bearing materials (leaching) occurs.
  6. Furthermore, the recycler separates the battery components into three different categories. These categories are cobalt, steel and aluminum, copper and plastic.
  7. Finally, companies then sell these recycled materials.

So, why is EV battery recycling important?

The Importance of EV Battery Recycling

Recycling EV batteries helps the environment by reusing materials and diminishing pollution. Some of the valuable, reusable materials that EV batteries contain include: nickel, cobalt, and copper

Recycling EV Batteries

These materials are scarce and can make numerous items and products including more EV batteries. Also, this ultimately leads to less of a landfill population causing decrease in pollution. There is even an opportunity to make a profit by selling scrap EV batteries to EV battery recycling companies like Interco.

Additionally, there has been a push by people, governments and organizations for a greener world. A great way to take a step in the right direction is to recycle EV batteries.

Conclusion

Overall, EV batteries contain an abundance of valuable and reusable materials including copper, cobalt and nickel. Recycling EC batteries helps to reuse these materials, diminish pollution and offers the chance of earning a potential profit. EV battery recycling companies even sell EV batteries in case people are interested in using them on their own.

If you are interested in EV battery recycling or selling/buying EV batteries, click here to contact Interco.

Why You Should Recycle Batteries

Why You Should Recycle Batteries

Interco recycles batteries of all shapes, sizes, and chemistry. You should recycle batteries for a number of reasons. Recycling batteries helps the environment by keeping hazardous material out of landfills and reduces the need to mine elemental metals for industrial production needs.

Battery manufacturers produce several types of batteries in use today. Different recycling processes are available for each to recover and recycle the materials. Depending on the content – whether it’s metallic, plastic, or chemical – recycling at different stages of the production cycle often determines whether recycling is feasible or not.

The 9 Most Common Battery Types

  1. Lead-Acid
  2. Lithium-Ion (Li-ion)
  3. Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH)
  4. Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd)
  5. Absolyte
  6. Alkaline
  7. LiFePO4 Lithium Iron Phosphate
  8. Lithium Primary & Lithium Button Cells
  9. LiMnO2 Lithium Manganese Dioxide
1. Lead-Acid Battery & Lead Acid Battery Recycling
1. Lead-Acid Battery & Lead Acid Battery Recycling

1. Lead-Acid Battery & Lead Acid Battery Recycling

Americans recycle Lead-Acid batteries more than any other batteries. Consumers primarily use them in automobiles, motorcycles, smaller vehicles, ATVs and golf carts. They also use them in boats and other marine equipment. Manufacturers and other industrialists use Lead-Acid batteries in industrial heavy equipment and forklifts as well. Lead-Acid batteries are very reliable as backup or auxiliary power as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) in computers, data centers, telecommunication and hospitals.

Interco recycles Lead-Acid batteries primarily for their lead content. The machines shred the whole batteries and sort the plastic and lead. Then they separate and clean the different materials while and drain and neutralize the acid. The process reintroduces the lead as industrial material for commercial production. Is recycling Lead-Acid batteries important? Today over 50% of the lead supply comes from recycled batteries.

2. Lithium-Ion Battery & Lithium Ion Recycling
2. Lithium-Ion Battery & Lithium Ion Recycling

2. Lithium-Ion Battery & Lithium Ion Recycling

Interco recycles Lithium-Ion batteries, keeping them out of landfills to extract and re-use cobalt and other precious metals contained within the Lithium-Ion battery itself. Consumer electronics, laptops, cell phones and other electronic devices which require high capacity utilize the Lithium-Ion battery – also referred to as a LIB. These devices require smaller rechargeable batteries.

Recycling these batteries prevents future shortage of cobalt and nickel through careful hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes. When you recycle batteries, the cost of extracting lithium through recycling is up to five-times as expensive as the mining process itself, therefore, many companies are unable to justify it at this time.

3. Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery & NiMH Hydride Recycling
3. Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery & NiMH Hydride Recycling

3. Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery & NiMH Hydride Recycling

Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH or Ni–MH) utilize a combination of nickel and hydrogen – two naturally occurring elements. They use nickel oxide hydroxide to create energy. These batteries are often smaller and rechargeable. The batteries are often used in consumer goods and electronics, newer digital cameras and other high-drain devices.

Digital cameras, toys, handheld video games, and MP3 players all use NiMH batteries. Interco recycles Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries mainly to recover the nickel content. Although Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries are better for the environment than some others, they can still pollute the water table and air if not recycled. It is important to recycle batteries.

4. Nickel-Cadmium NiCd Battery or NiCad Battery & NiCad Battery Recycling
4. Nickel-Cadmium NiCd Battery or NiCad Battery & NiCad Battery Recycling

4. Nickel-Cadmium NiCd Battery or NiCad Battery & NiCad Battery Recycling

Nickel-Cadmium NiCd batteries also use nickel oxide hydroxide to create energy. Unlike with Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries, the Nickel-Cadmium batteries use metallic cadmium, which is a highly toxic environmental hazard. The EU has banned these rechargeable batteries for general public consumption and use in Europe because of their toxicity when illegally dumped in landfills or incinerated.

NiCad batteries are widely used with medical devices, alarm systems and emergency lighting, and power tools. It is important to recycle NiCd batteries as the metallic cell cylinder corrodes in landfills leaching cadmium into the water supply.

5. Absolyte Battery Recycling
5. Absolyte Battery Recycling

5. Absolyte Battery Recycling

All Absolyte batteries are valve-regulated, single-cell Lead-Acid batteries. Absolyte is a brand of valve-regulated sealed lead-acid battery that contains acid, lead, copper, and are housed in steel cases. In fact, older Absolyte batteries (housed in grey cases) contain Cadmium in the posts, while newer ones (black cases) do not. These batteries are often used on train and with industrial equipment. As a result, you should recycle batteries without question.

Cell phone and telecommunication networks use Absolyte batteries in backup power equipment. They are often the core of uninterruptible power supplies, maintenance-free (no topping-up), special high current performance battery. Lead-Acid batteries are used in the telecommunications field. Despite myths within the industry, this type of battery is highly recyclable. Accordingly, you should recycle batteries without question.

6. Alkaline Battery Recycling
6. Alkaline Battery Recycling

6. Alkaline Battery Recycling

Today alkaline batteries are the most common household batteries. First of all, household electronics such as children’s toys, remotes, and flashlights use these batteries most often. Alkaline batteries contain zinc and manganese; thus, the retrieval process is expensive.

While, you should recycle batteries without question. Because of the chemistry in alkaline, there is little to no monetary value, so there’s generally a charge to recycle this type of battery. It can take 6-10 times more energy to reclaim metals from some recycled batteries than from mining.

7. Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery & LiFePO4 Battery Recycling
7. Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery & LiFePO4 Battery Recycling

7. Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery & LiFePO4 Battery Recycling

Experts often refer to the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery as LFP. First of all, consumers can find this type of lower energy, rechargeable consumer battery in electric cars. They can also find them in solar panel applications as backup power sources.

Most importantly, these batteries often last longer and charge faster than other rechargeable batteries. In addition, they are frequently safer than the others. The compound used in lithium iron phosphate batteries (related to Lithium-Ion batteries) does not change to recycle batteries.

8. Lithium Primary Battery & Lithium Button Cells
8. Lithium Primary Battery & Lithium Button Cells

8. Lithium Primary Battery & Lithium Button Cells

Lithium Primary batteries use metallic lithium to generate power. The most recognizable type of Lithium Primary battery is the button cell watch battery, which is a small round single-cell battery. The button cells contain mercury or cadmium as well. As a result, Lithium Primary batteries are more volatile than many other batteries.

Lithium reacts violently when it comes in contact with moisture causing spontaneous combustion and fire. In addition, you should recycle batteries without question. It is very important in this case to recycle batteries. Similarly, if you dispose of Lithium Primary batteries in a landfill, the exposed lithium could ignite a fire and burn for years underground.

9. Lithium Manganese Dioxide Battery & LiMnO2 Battery Recycling
9. Lithium Manganese Dioxide Battery & LiMnO2 Battery Recycling

9. Lithium Manganese Dioxide Battery & LiMnO2 Battery Recycling

The Lithium Manganese Dioxide batteries – often referred to as LiMnO2 – are lightweight typically cylindrical or flat like buttons with stainless exteriors. Cameras, radios, medical equipment, and civil and military communication instruments commonly use these batteries. Therefore, these batteries self-discharge over time and cannot recharge.

Recycle Your Batteries with Interco

Americans use 3,000,000,000 – that’s three billion – batteries each year. That’s an average of eight batteries per person. Therefore, we must recycle these batteries. Click here to get a quote today.