Battery
All types of batteries are catered for at the facility.
The principal batteries found in households are regarded as primary (zinc carbon and alkaline batteries) and are commonly available in sizes AAA, AA, C, and D. They make up the biggest proportion (80-85%) of batteries in both the market and the waste stream.
During the recycling process 50/60% of the battery weight is recovered.
These batteries are collected from civic amenity centres, offices, schools, institutions throughout the country with the agreement of the battery compliance schemes.
Other types of battery accepted are:
- Lead Acid
In both physical size and overall volume, lead acid batteries represent are the largest amount of batteries in the market. These batteries are primarily used for vehicle or engine starting applications, emergency back-up supply or to maintain lighting or power to essential systems in hospitals, banks, telephone exchanges etc. They are also used as the energy power supply for fork lift trucks and other electric vehicles.
Lead acid batteries are purchased from garages, distributors, local authorities throughout the country with prices paid, generally in line with the traded price of lead on the London Metal Exchange (LME). Prices are available on application.
Apart from the recovery of lead during the process – plastic, metal and acid is also recovered.
- Nickel Cadmium-Rechargeable - NiCad’s
NiCad’s are used in emergency or auxiliary power back up, emergency lighting applications, in aircraft and rail applications and fulfil a range of roles from engine starting to powering utilities. They are also in use in appliances such as medical equipment, communication equipment and power tools.
These batteries are recycled in through a highly specialised process, whereby the cadmium is distilled to produce material that is 99.95 percent pure.
- Lithium Batteries (primary)
Lithium primary cells are commonly used in digital camera’s (AAA/AA sizes), small remote control units (button/coin cells), watches, calculators, pacemakers etc.
- Lithium Batteries (rechargeable)
The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. The recycling of these batteries is primarily to recover a specific metal –cobalt. Lithium Ion batteries are used in laptops, mobile phones, electric vehicles, power tools.
- Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are available in almost every size as either an individual cell or packs and are commonly used in mobile phones, laptops, power tools and electric vehicles.
With the exception of lead acid all other batteries are collected in co-operation with the compliance schemes.