What to Know About Recycling Scrap Lead-Acid Batteries

Lead-acid batteries can be found in many places – most commonly, automobiles – but eventually, these batteries reach an end-of-life status. When scrap lead-acid batteries begin to create an unwanted pile, consumers and companies can earn cash from their scrap. The team at Interco will buy scrap lead-acid batteries for recycling purposes.

Recycling used lead-acid batteries is significant because of the nature of their composition and use. Manufacturers and consumers use lead-acid batteries as backup power supplies or to power things such as: 

• Cars and other vehicles 
• Electric scooters 
• UPS systems 

Keeping scrap lead-acid batteries stored in a scrapyard or anywhere on your property can lead to hazardous leaking that may contaminate surrounding water streams. Fortunately, Interco has the solution that pays.

3 Things to Know About Recycling Scrap Lead-Acid Batteries 

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. 

1. Types of 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. In addition, a deep-cycle battery delivers a continuous low level of power to help an engine keep operating.

2. Who Will Buy Scrap Lead-Acid Batteries?

Interco recycles lead-acid batteries primarily for their lead content.  Battery manufacturers produce several types of batteries in use today. Furthermore, different recycling processes are available for each to recover and recycle the materials.  Often, 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. Most people and businesses are unaware of the potential recycling value of scrap lead-acid batteries. Interco begins the recycling process by working with machines that shred the whole batteries and sort the plastic and lead. Thus, they then separate and clean the different materials while and drain and neutralize the acid. The process reintroduces the lead as an industrial material for commercial production. 

3. Scrap Lead-Acid Battery 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. Therefore, 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 so it can be safely disposed of. 
• A hammer mill shatters the battery or breaks it apart. The process is referred to as 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. 

One of the first R2v3 certified recyclers’ in the world, Interco recycles nonferrous industrial metals and specializes in difficult to process alloys, lithium-ion batteries, metallic powders, and solar panels. 

Recycle Lead-Acid Batteries with Interco 

Overall, Interco will buy scrap lead-acid batteries for recycling 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. As a result, Interco recycles batteries of all shapes, sizes, and chemistry. The team at Interco continues to lead the way in terms of innovative industrial recycling solutions. Finally, to learn more about how to recycle lead-acid batteries, click here.