Who Recycles Scrap Lead Acid Batteries Near Me?
Who Recycles Scrap Lead Acid Batteries Near Me?
A rise in the use of electric vehicles has accelerated the demand for lead-acid batteries. Whether it be obsolete batteries, or a pile of scrap is building up, it may be important to ask, “Who recycles scrap lead-acid batteries near me?”
Lead-acid batteries become obsolete after three to five years of use. Therefore, the significant rise in the number of vehicles is likely to produce increased quantities of scrap lead-acid batteries in the future.
Characteristics such as high current delivery, resistance to corrosion and abrasion, tolerance to overcharging, low internal impedance, etc. make them appropriate to be used in electric vehicles.
The characteristics of the battery are valuable but can pose a danger if improperly disposed of.
With the high acid content, it is highly advisable not to try recycling lead-acid batteries outside of a certified, and reputable recycling center. In fact, Interco buys lead-acid batteries for recycling purposes.
It is known that consumers and businesses recycle lead-acid batteries more than any other batteries.
Who Recycles Scrap 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 and a deep-cycle battery delivers a continuous low level of power to help an engine keep operating.
The recycling process of used lead-acid auto batteries should be done carefully and with all consciousness, preferably in a controlled environment far from residential areas.
The remarkable Interco facility is comprised of five buildings — approximately 400,000 square feet total — on more than 35 acres located on the Illinois-side of St. Louis in the shadows of the Gateway Arch.
People exposed to these hazardous materials are at great risk of developing harmful medical complications. However, through responsible recycling, we can reduce some of those harmful effects.
Interco recycles lead-acid batteries as a certified and reputable scrap lead-acid batteries processing facility. In addition, the recycling process must be performed in accordance with relevant standards. There are a few health and emissions risks:
- Uncontrolled drainage and disposal of battery acid
- Emission of lead particles and acid caused by inappropriate battery breaking processes
The Interco 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.
Recycling Lead-Acid Batteries
Recycling scrap lead-acid batteries are significant because of their composition and use. Moreover, manufacturers and consumers use lead-acid batteries as backup power supplies. They can most commonly be found in automobiles, motorcycles, and smaller vehicles.
In fact, lead-acid battery scrap is the most found lead scrap.
The plastic in lead-acid batteries is mostly polypropylene, which has a high heat tolerance. Moreover, it can enter the recycling process. Furthermore, the lead in the batteries is sold to companies that make new batteries. In fact, the EPA estimates that up to 80% of the plastic and lead in any new battery you purchase is recycled.
The Recycling Process
The process of recycling used lead-acid auto batteries should be done carefully and with all consciousness, preferably in a controlled environment far from residential areas. As a result, the scrap lead-acid batteries recycling process starts as follows:
- First, recycling companies collect expired or used lead-acid auto batteries for battery depositories.
- The recycling company then neutralizes the acids. They introduce a base that subdues the corrosive properties (toxicity) of the acid for safe disposal.
- A hammer mill shatters the battery or breaks it apart. Recyclers call the process hammering.
- Then, place broken pieces in a vat, so that the lead plates and heavy materials sink to the bottom while the plastic floats.
- They transport the polypropylene plastics into a plastic recycler to melt and refine them.
- Then, the process goes to clean the lead plates and heat them in furnaces, so they melt. After this, cast the molten lead into an ingot mold. After a few moments, the impurities float to the top of the cast, and they scrape them away.
- Finally, they re-melt the pure ingot casts and use them in new batteries.
Interco has grown from an electronic scrap recycling company to a comprehensive processor and recycler handling nonferrous, industrially generated metal-bearing complex residues, most battery chemistries, and catalysts.
Interco Recycles Lead-Acid Batteries
Lead-acid battery scrap is the most found lead scrap. It enables recyclers to recover valuable metals and reduces the harmful effects on the environment that improper disposal causes. So, when your companies scrap pile starts to take up space, ask “Who recycles scrap lead-acid batteries near me?” Thus, the team at Interco continues to lead the way in terms of innovative industrial recycling solutions. Click here to learn more about how to recycle lead-acid batteries.