If not dealt with correctly the hazardous materials such as lead, acid and plastic end up being cast away and negatively impact the environment. First National Battery recognised that although moderately hazardous, batteries are almost 100% recyclable and have set up a state-of-the-art battery recycling plant in Benoni.

The reasons to recycle

It’s quite easy to understand why one needs to recycle; there is only one earth, one atmosphere and only one species that keeps impacting negatively on this precious space. Everyone needs to do their part, recycle more and be green conscious. Recycling takes materials that would normally be considered waste and reuses them. This in turn means that no extra materials will be dumped, reducing the amount of toxic chemicals absorbed into the earth. In some cases, recycling will actually reduce manufacturing costs and energy consumption.

The beginnings of battery recycling was born out of necessity, during World War II when lead was seen as a strategic metal and became a legal requirement for the battery industry to introduce the one-for-one system (where one would only receive another battery by handing in one's old one). Since 1942, South African battery manufacturers have continued with a system of collecting spent batteries. By doing this, South Africa has managed to retain a large amount of lead, which has reduced costs not only to battery manufacturers and consumers, but also the environment.

The process

Once a battery has died, there is no chance of a resurrection, unfortunately. Instead of simply throwing it out, take it to a local Battery Centre, to be sent to the First National Battery recycling plant.

At First National Battery’s state-of-the-art facility it will be sorted and placed into a battery breaker and pulverised into small coin shaped pieces. These pieces are placed into a tank and the dissimilar densities are separated - heavier pieces, such as lead sink, while lighter pieces, like rubber and plastic float. Liquids, such as water and acid go into a neutralising solution, and once the PH is neutral, it is innocuously discarded into the sewage system The plastic is melted down, the lead is cleaned of impurities, smelted into ingots and both are remoulded into new batteries. Making two of the main components of the battery 100% recyclable.

This entire process is done under the strictest environmental control and is ISO 14001:2004 certified.

Lead-ing the way forward

Lead-acid batteries are an environmental success story with more than 90% of all scrap batteries successfully recycled in South Africa. Compared to 70% of beverage cans, 65% of newspapers, 30% of plastics, and 26% of glass. It is plain to see that the battery industry is setting standards in recycling.

The end of your battery is the beginning of another

First National Battery offers a service that both recycles and reuses old batteries, granting tired old batteries a new lease on life, all while taking the utmost care of the environment.

For more information visit the Battery Centre website, call 0800 112 600, or visit a Battery Centre.