Where Do I Take My Scrap Lithium-Ion Batteries to be Recycled Safely?
Where Do I Take My Scrap Lithium-Ion Batteries to be Recycled Safely?
Since companies are continually improving lithium-ion batteries to perform better and last longer, scrap piles of the old batteries are increasing for companies. Companies will need to make a decision on how to handle the disposal of these materials. Companies may be wondering, “where do I take my scrap lithium-ion batteries to be recycled safely?”
Lithium-ion batteries are used in a wide variety of products, including cell phones, tablets, computers, power tools and more. These batteries have become increasingly common. Companies and manufacturers may be unaware of the potential value of recycling lithium-ion batteries. In fact, these batteries contain valuable materials that need to be recycled and reused. These valuable materials include:
- Nickel
- Cobalt
- Copper
Recycling these valuable materials will help preserve the environment and decrease the use of raw materials.
Pyrometallurgy Versus Leaching
There are 2 common ways to recycle lithium-ion batteries. In fact, they are called pyrometallurgy and leaching. These are two common ways recyclers perform the recycling process.
- Pyrometallurgy
This is the most common technique recyclers use. Basically, the recycling process is performed by burning the batteries to remove unwanted organic materials and plastics. This method leaves a recycler with a small amount of the original material. What is usually left is the copper from current collectors and nickel or cobalt from the cathode. Smelting is common term within pyrometallurgy. It used a furnace powered with fossils fuels to burn the batteries. This is not the best for the environment, and it loses a lot of aluminum and lithium in the process. This is the simplest method.
- Hydrometallurgy or Leaching
This method involves soaking lithium-ion cells in strong acids to dissolve the metals into a solution. Recycler can recover more materials this way. This method is more challenging as recyclers must preprocess the cells to remove unwanted plastic casings and drain the charge on the battery. This increases cost and complexity.
Why Should Companies Recycle Scrap Lithium-Ion Batteries?
It is important for companies to recycle scrap lithium-ion batteries because they contain toxic materials. When these batteries are broken down, they become extremely toxic to humans. These batteries can produce dozens of dangerous gases when overheated and can cause damage to both people and the environment.
If these toxic materials were to end up in a landfill, they could potentially leak into the local water supply and negatively effect the environment and the people who live in the surrounding area. Companies that choose to recycle are doing their part to help reduce landfills, waste, overall pollution, and the use of raw materials.
So, companies may be wondering, “where do I take my scrap lithium-ion batteries to be recycled safely?” In fact, the answer is quite simply Interco.
About Interco
Interco is a global recycling company providing metals, computers and electronics recycling services to industrial, dealer, and government organizations throughout the western hemisphere. The facility has a 145,000 sqft. processing plant committed to the processing of computers, electronics, and batteries with the remainder of the indoor facility used for the processing of nonferrous industrial metals.
The facility has five buildings — approximately 400,000 square feet total — on more than 35 acres. The company facility has more than 20 inbound and outbound docks for receiving and shipping nonferrous scrap material as well as a railroad rail spur to load rail cars.
The company is within proximity to four major interstates (I-44, I-55, I-64, and I-70) while centrally located just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri in Madison, Illinois. Furthermore, the company offers a convenient delivery location as the facility is near four major interstates (I-44, I-55, I-64, and I-70) that intersect all of the Midwest and Central USA.
Established in 1996, Interco has grown to prominence as one of the most reputable recyclers of nonferrous scrap in the United States. The company is experiencing significant market position growth due to a number of factors that suggest steady acceleration for years to come.
Interco Safely Recycles Scrap Lithium-Ion Batteries
Overall, old battery scrap piles are increasing for companies. Companies are going to have to make a decision on how to deal with the influx of materials. The best option is recycling them. Companies may be wondering, “where do I take my scrap lithium-ion batteries to be recycled safely? In fact, the answer is quite simply Interco. Interco will work with you to satisfy any of your nonferrous scrap metal recycling needs. To learn more about Interco, click here.