How to dispose of used batteries?

More and more electronics around us are becoming portable which means that they are getting their power from a battery. Now, that battery can be rechargeable, which lasts multiple uses, or that battery may not be rechargeable, meaning that it will only last one use. In the end, every battery becomes unusable regardless of its type, and that's where we need to dispose of it.

The issue here is that most people don’t know how to do it or the consequences of not disposing of their batteries. So, this guide covers everything you need to know about disposing of used batteries.

The Harm of Used Batteries

Batteries, when in usable condition, are very useful to us. While they are still very harmful if not handled carefully, their usage benefits outweigh the harm. However, once the battery becomes unusable, it becomes harmful to the electronics, environment, and you.

The Harm of Used Batteries on the Environment

Say that you have a used battery, and you throw it in the bin even when it is not recommended to be thrown in the bin. That battery will end up on land with all the trash, and that's where it will start soil pollution with its chemicals. If the battery is thrown in a waterbody, it will contaminate the water with its chemicals, resulting in water pollution and danger for aquatic life.

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The Harm of Used Batteries on your Devices

If you have a used battery that has served its life, and you still decide to use it with your device, then it can be very harmful to the device. The most common issue is improper voltage and fluctuations. These can fry the whole electronic system of your device. Even if this does not happen in the worst case, the performance and reliability of your electronics will be severely disturbed.

Risk of Keeping Used Batteries: Fire and Explosion

Another risk associated with used batteries is fire and explosion. Usually, batteries made with metals like lithium are extremely flammable. When these batteries get old, they swell up and create opportunities for getting punctured. A small puncture can lead to a fire or explosion in the battery. Now, that will be very damaging for you, the devices, or the storage area where that battery is present.

Store used batteries separately.

Most of the responsible people try to store their used batteries instead of throwing them in the bin because it helps preserve the environment. While you think that you are doing everything right, you still might be doing a lot of wrong things and here is all you need to know about storing used batteries.

Storing them separately helps distinguish.

Today, almost everyone has a lot of batteries of different shapes, sizes, and specifications. People like to have backup replacement batteries just in case. However, most make the mistake of storing both old and new batteries together, thinking it will be safer. Instead, it makes things very complex when you have to distinguish between old and new batteries. So it is better to store them separately.

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Storing until you dispose of helps protect the environment.

If a battery says that it is not safe to be thrown in the trash, then you must not throw it in the bin at all. Instead, you must store it unless you can properly dispose of it. This way, you will be protecting the environment from land and water pollution. So, find the nearest battery recycling facility and drop your battery there, as it will be the safest way of disposing of your batteries.

Use the right storage practices to prevent leakage and corrosion.

When you are storing your used batteries, you must follow the right storage practices, which include:

Storing batteries in proper container to prevent puncturing

Avoid putting a load on batteries or even stacking them on another

Keep them in a dry and cool place to prevent rust or corrosion

When you follow these practices and store used batteries separately, you make things much safer for yourself and the environment.

Deliver to relevant units for recycling.

Once a battery becomes useless, the best way to get rid of it is by delivering it to relevant units for recycling. Now, you may opt to drop the batteries there yourself or choose a home pick-up service if available in your area.

Recycling units safely dispose of or recycle the batteries.

What you need to do when a battery serves its life is drop it at the recycling facility. These are the places that dismantle the battery in multiple parts and take those that can be recycled. The leftovers are treated until they become safe to dispose of in the environment. This is the way they treat used batteries, and it makes things much safer than throwing them in the bin.

Good for the economy and the environment.

Recycling batteries is good for the environment because you are not adding any harmful substances to water or land like before. At the same time, it is good for the economy because some materials used in the battery are mined, and they are very costly for first-time use. The cost to recycle them is significantly cheaper, which makes the batteries cheaper and easily accessible for everyone.

Find a proper recycling facility that accepts the battery.

As you have an old battery, you must find the right recycling facility. Usually, recycling facilities accept all battery types, but there may be some variations. Moreover, there are home pickup services as well as self-drop options. So, you must pick the option that is most suitable for you with the goal of properly disposing of your used batteries.

Conclusion

Batteries remain to be one of the driving forces behind this amazing innovation happening in the field of smartphones, laptops, automobiles, and many other electronics. However, one thing to remember about batteries is that they have a limited life and become unusable after that. So, while you are enjoying the benefits of portable power from batteries, you must follow the right practice to dispose of your old batteries. Otherwise, you and the environment may face the consequences.