As businesses around the world face up to the challenge of recycling and re-using materials, battery recycling for business is getting to be a big deal. Recycling batteries is a big way to make a less negative impact on the environment. In many industries, this is a consideration, as different types of batteries provide radically different power sources for a wide range of items, devices and machines.

For getting a business more informed about recycling different types of batteries, the web can be a primary resource: info pages and more from web sources can help a business take on the challenge of figuring out what to do with any kind of used batteries, such as:

1. Larger vehicle batteries such as those used to power cars and trucks as well as forklifts and other machines.

2. Household-type batteries or common commercial batteries in the range of sizes commonly used, from AAA to D and including the traditional 9-volt.

3. Lithium batteries used in laptops and other electronic devices.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about the vehicle battery recycling business

Vehicle batteries are some of the most challenging to recycle: these large, bulky and heavy batteries contain a lot of acid and other caustic materials. Businesses often try to find good recycling solutions for these, partly just to keep them out of inventory, and also to comply with environmental regulations.

I recommend: Learn about recycling vehicle batteries at the A to Z of Materials: info on the site includes car battery recycling, reclamation and more. Get more from automotive recycling for junk battery inventories at sites like Gatlin Education.

Find out about recycling traditional battery types: alkaline battery recycling

Anther type of batteries that are commonly recycled is the traditional alkaline battery sets that power everything from the smallest handheld devices to larger installations like security systems and audio devices. Readers can find protocols for these specific battery types and venues that accept them for recycling.

I recommend: Find resources for recycling household type batteries at Environment, Health and Safety Online. Find out more about battery recycling containers and more at Battery Recycling online.

Look for resources for lithium battery recycling

Another type of batteries that need to be recycled is lithium batteries that power laptops, cell phones and other devices. Recycling lithium batteries poses a challenge because some of them are embedded in complex plastic sheathing or other structures. Look for specific resources on getting these items back to recycling centers and battery recycling equipment used to re-manufacture them for re-use.

I recommend: Get articles and posts on recycling lithium batteries at the blog at ComputerWorld. Get more on the proper disposal of lithium batteries and batteries recycling business at Green Batteries.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Let battery recycling education and training be a business bridge into more effective and responsible stewardship of on-site materials: learning more about the substances involved will get business leaders thinking about the best ways to handle all of the materials that get run through processes at their facilities.

Battery recycling for business is becoming necessary as today's fast-moving world generates more and more waste. Old computers and electronics are moved from the floor to the trash bin every day. As experts on environmental regulations point out, disposing of electronics improperly is illegal and bad for public health and safety. Battery disposal is a particular problem, as batteries contain a lot of heavy metals and elements.

Battery recycling services will help you get rid of batteries in ways that protect your environment. Batteries can be broken down at recycling shops for re-use of raw materials. Use battery recycling services to:

1. Get rid of vehicle batteries cluttering an auto mechanic's garage.
2. Dispose of standard sized electronics batteries and small lithium batteries.
3. Discard obsolete or broken laptop or cell phone batteries.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a comprehensive battery recycling business

When you want to offload a selection of domestic batteries, you need a service provider able to accept multiple sizes and styles. Browse the service pages of online providers to see what kinds of batteries they'll take off your hands.

I recommend: View the tidily arranged thumbnails at Complete Recycling Solutions, L.L.C. to see the wide array of batteries they recycle, from tiny lithiums to car batteries to alkaline battery recycling and nearly everything in between. Battery Solutions offers businesses quotes on battery recycling prices in all 50 US states.

Find accessible vendor pages for full-scale battery recycling services

Look for companies that offer up-front fee arrangements, far-reaching shipping and general client accommodation.

I recommend: The service page at The Big Green Box lays out fees, methods and shipping arrangements up front, for international shipping of a variety of batteries. Use the contacts and information there to arrange for a convenient solution for your old batteries.

Find battery recycling services with consulting options

Some companies will help you assess your needs and evaluate shipping options. You don't have to make the decisions alone: arrange for consultants to assist in figuring out how much you are sending and how it will be sent.

I recommend: Newtech Recycling Inc. offers consulting services identified on their web page, including sorting/weighing, needs assessment and logistics.

Introduce battery recycling to your busines the easy way

Find battery recycling containers and other battery recycling equipment for your office.

I recommend: Battery Solutions offers battery recycling containers that hold anywhere from 25 to 700 pounds of batteries. The company also published a guide on how to start battery recycling program at your business. Air Cycle Corporation sells battery recycling equipment, including the EasyPak Battery Recycling Container.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep batteries safe for shipping. If you are waiting on a battery recycling company, keep your batteries in places where they won't be overcome by corrosion. Keeping batteries in extreme temperatures can create a mess for those who are coming to pick them up. It helps to package your freight for easy pickup and inventory, rather than just piling items up in an unused space.

Battery recycling is a relatively successful and widespread practice. From dry-cell alkaline to lead-acid car batteries, there are recycling programs around the country that can dispose of batteries properly and turn their used components into production-ready raw materials. Like many other electronics industries, battery recycling has a vocabulary all its own. Learning a few battery recycling key terms will help you know how to safely get rid of your battery waste.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Lead acid

A large portion of recycled batteries, including car and marine types, run on lead acid. The material is hazardous, but fortunately for the environment, you can recycle nearly 90-percent of all lead acid batteries.

I recommend: Batterystuff.com has published a good primer on lead acid batteries. To learn more about lead acid battery recycling, visit the website of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

High-temperature metal reclamation

Also known as HTMR, battery recycling companies use high-temperature metal reclamation to recycle lithium, nickel metal hydride and nickel-cadmium batteries. Recycling centers heat all of the metals in the batteries until they melt, except for lithium, cadmium and zinc, which the centers filter out and recycle.

I recommend: Battery Solutions has more information on HTMR, as well as other battery recycling processes.

E-scrap

E-scrap is a catch-all term for cell phones, laptops and other recyclable electronics. Many battery recycling companies also recycle e-scrap, which makes the process much easier on consumers who can pack all of their electronics, including batteries, into one box for recycling.

I recommend: The City of Louisville, Kentucky runs an e-scrap recycling program that allows residents, businesses and 501(c) nonprofit organizations to dispose of their computers, monitors and other electronics.

Ingots

Many batteries contain lead in the form of grids, oxides and other parts. During the recycling process, the recycling centers melt these parts into molds to make blocks called ingots.

I recommend: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains a detailed glossary of lead battery terms that includes information on ingots and the recycling process.

Hogs and pigs

In battery recycling lingo, hogs and pigs describe ingots of different sizes. Hogs are large ingots weighing more than a ton, while pigs are smaller ingots.

I recommend: Check out Battery Council International for more information hogs, pigs and the lead recycling process.

Rechargeable battery

Aside from the obvious rechargeable alkaline batteries, rechargeable batteries include those found in cell phones, laptops, digital cameras and other personal electronics. Federal and state governments have established a set of specific laws regarding the disposal of these batteries that consumers must follow when recycling them.

I recommend: The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Commission is the best place to find information on disposing of rechargeable batteries. It has shipping and safety tips, as well as links to federal and state recycling regulations.

Battery recycling is a simple process that not only protects the environment, it also protects everyone from exposure to harmful materials. Whether you have the occasional spent alkaline battery from an office appliance, or you deal in automotive dry-cell batteries, recycling safely is still a most

Find out what, if any, battery recycling equipment you need to properly dispose of all the batteries you use. Following the government safety regulations on the proper recycling of batteries isn't hard if you find the right resources. Start your safe recycling by:

1. Finding out exactly what battery recycling procedures are mandatory.

2. Learn how to easily recycle household batteries.

3. Find a battery recycling business for large quantity battery recycling or free drop-off location for a small amount of batteries.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use the battery recycling for business manuals and guidelines set up by the U.S. government

Follow proper recycling procedures by finding a battery recycling bin for businesses or sending your spent batteries to a recycling center near you. The Environmental Protection Agency has set certain guidelines to follow for safe recycling that include the recycling of rechargeable batteries and even safely recycling non-rechargeables to reuse the metals inside.

I recommend: Find out all the government regulations and use the reference materials at Battery Solutions. The Battery Council International provides a flier that explains exactly how to handle and recycle all types of industrial and household batteries safely.

Look for battery recycling safety information for household batteries

Alkaline battery recycling options are different from nickel-cadmium options. While not all recycling locations take all types of batteries, more and more are expanding to take many types of common household batteries as a way to cut down on the waste of metals.

I recommend: The Environmental Health and Safety Online is a good resource for information on household battery recycling safety. The site includes government standards, recycling tips and a chart of all battery types and how to safely recycle or dispose of them. The University of Illinois Division of Research Safety also includes a chart of some of the household recyclable battery safety tips.

Find organizations and drop-off locations for recycling batteries

The safest and easiest way to recycle batteries of any kind is to find a free battery recycling center. There are centers located throughout the country, and some firms even send recycling packages to mail your spent batteries to them. The process is easy and safe as long as you follow the recommended recycling guidelines.

I recommend: If you need to recycle a large quantity of batteries on a regular basis, consider ordering the battery recycling containers and kits from Recycle Kits. For smaller quantity battery recycling, use the Earth911 recycling center finder to find a drop off location near you.