For many businesses, managing the lifecycle of equipment and machinery necessitates the continual replacement and disposal of batteries. From forklifts that are powered by rechargeable lithium batteries to large generators that use powerful batteries, organizations across numerous industries rely on the use of batteries to power their operations forward.
However, what happens to these batteries when they reach the end of their lifecycle is not as simple as handling everyday waste. Throwing away batteries in the trash, particularly in the large quantities that business disposal often requires, can have an array of negative effects. It can also be bad for business.
In this guide, we’ll uncover the top reasons you should never throw away batteries in your trash. We’ll also provide you with helpful tips for managing the disposal of any battery your business uses.
Contaminating Soil and Water
One of the number one reasons why it is recommended that you never throw away your business’ batteries after use is because of the potential damage it can cause to the environment. When you throw away batteries, they contribute to more waste in local landfills. They are carted away with the rest of your trash to be dumped in the local landfill. Not only is there already an ongoing issue with overflowing landfills, but the waste that a battery produces can be particularly harmful.
Batteries often contain materials such as cobalt, nickel, manganese, and other metals that will leak out of the battery casing as it decomposes. These materials then seep into the soil and groundwater. This not only makes the landfill toxic, but these corrosive materials can be transmitted into the local drinking water.
This is particularly dangerous for human health if contaminated water is then consumed. While a single household might only throw away a handful of batteries a year, the amount of battery waste from businesses is expansive. Each year, business battery waste can build up in local soil and watersheds. Mitigating this after the fact is extremely costly and difficult. Areas can experience the effects of these corrosive materials for years to come.
It is for this reason that businesses wishing to be responsible should never throw away batteries. Instead, these batteries should be broken down, and materials should be recycled into new uses.
Some Regulations Require It
In addition to the potential damage that a battery can do to the soil and water as the casing breaks down, businesses that do not properly dispose of their batteries are potentially breaking federal and local regulations.
Depending on the type of battery, regulations may require that the battery is recycled rather than simply thrown away. Certain states, such as California, have additional regulations around the disposal of batteries — including the smallest batteries used in everyday devices.
The regulations around the disposal of batteries are complex. It can be difficult for businesses to navigate the numerous regional and federal guidelines.
For businesses, not adhering to these regulations can result in hefty fines and fees. This can eat away at profits, particularly when margins are already small. Not only that, but when your business violates an environmental regulation, it can create a poor public image. The last thing you want is for your business to be associated with causing harm to the local ecosystem.
Recycling is Sustainable
Because throwing away batteries is never the best plan, the alternative is to recycle your business’ batteries. By recycling your batteries, you are contributing to a more sustainable disposal process.
When you recycle your batteries, not only does this keep the corrosive materials and heavy metals out of landfills, but it also allows many of the materials to be recycled into a new product. Long-term, this has huge positive effects. Not only does it reduce the costs associated with manufacturing new goods, but it prevents the need for mining for many of these materials. Mining itself can have a negative impact on the environment. It often results in the destruction of land and frequently incorporates the use of caustic materials. This only adds to the positive sustainability of recycling battery materials instead.
You Could Be Losing Out On Potential Earnings
Beyond the impacts that throwing away your business’ batteries has on the environment, you are also missing out on potential earnings for your company. Battery replacement costs are often high, and any way you can help offset these costs helps your bottom line. This is particularly true when you are replacing rechargeable batteries, which are usually extremely costly.
When you recycle large quantities of batteries, you can actually earn money back for every pound of material recycled. This can quickly add up, allowing you to turn your waste into money.
How much you will earn depends on the type of batteries you are recycling, the quantity, and the recycling business with which you work. For most businesses, the ability to earn money while safely disposing of batteries is one of the top benefits of the program. The money can be cycled back into the business, helping to lower the total operational costs of equipment and machinery.
Request Information about Business Battery Recycling
At Battery Recyclers of America, we are passionate about helping businesses transition away from throwing away batteries. Through our services, you can schedule ongoing battery pickup designed specifically for your company’s needs. From here, we will take your load of batteries to be recycled, allowing you to reap the full benefits of the process without dealing with any of the logistics of recycling. In many cases, we can even pay you the same day for your load of batteries.
We recycle a variety of batteries, including both lead-based and lithium batteries, and we work with companies across an array of industries. Our goal is to help keep batteries out of our landfills, contributing to lowered pollutants in soil and watersheds. To learn more about our services, reach out to our team for a custom quote online or talk to an expert over the phone at 866-290-3849. We can’t wait to help you discover the benefits of recycling rather than throwing away batteries.
