Batteries have grown so ubiquitous in our lives that we scarcely notice them any longer. They’re an incredible invention that works by storing chemical energy before turning it into electricity.
AA and AAA batteries, often known as phone and automobile batteries, are the most commonly used batteries today. They’re manufactured from dangerous materials including lead, cadmium, zinc, lithium, and mercury, which means they have to be recycled separately when they’re no longer in use.
Due to the significant danger of harm to the environment, no batteries should be disposed of in regular municipal household garbage.
Every battery you recycle will be deconstructed, with the materials recovered and repurposed for additional batteries or a whole new product. All batteries have a crossed-out wheeled bin symbol. This means they can’t be disposed of in regular trash streams and must be sent to a recycling facility.
Fast skips, who provide skip hire and recycling services often come across batteries and electronics during their recycling processes, and want to advise us on how we can all recycle them easier.
How do you recycle batteries?
Since February 2010, establishments that sell more than 32 kg of batteries per year have been required to give a battery recycling container to consumers. As a result, there are now several recycling stations where you may drop off your old batteries while doing your weekly shopping.
Batteries from computers, smartphones, and DIY equipment can be dropped off at designated collection sites in supermarkets. You’ll be able to dispose of your batteries in the recycling bins located here. Battery packs from computers, telephones, power tools, and remote-control devices can be recycled at approved battery collection locations. If you can’t get the power pack out, put it in your electrical recycling bin rather than the garbage.
It is prohibited in the United Kingdom to dispose of automotive batteries in a regular trash can. A domestic garbage recycling center or your local garage and scrap yard are the ideal places to take them; however, you should always call them beforehand to make sure they can accept them. Because these batteries and domestic batteries cannot be recycled together in supermarket recycling bins, they must be separated.
It is always good practice to call your local council to see if they provide a battery collecting service where you live, especially if you need to dispose of large batteries that are usually found in computers or laptops. If not, you can take them to your local recycling center or the store where you bought them. Most gadget stores now offer a take-back scheme to encourage recycling, and some also offer discounts on other gadgets if you bring them back.
