Dispose of used lead-acid batteries as hazardous waste.

During the year, the world is produced about 360 million pieces of lead-acid batteries. This is a mass of about 6 840 million tonnes. A similar number of batteries each year is removed from the car and spent product becomes a waste. For their preparation battery manufacturers annually consume about 70% of the world production of lead.

Used batteries are included in the waste are particularly harmful for the environment. Environmentally harmful substances, derived from used batteries are:

- Lead and its compounds

- Sulfuric acid

- Sealing pastes, including but not limited heavy metal compounds

- Plastics, in particular polypropylene and ebonite

In connection with such large accumulations of waste batteries in environmentally harmful substances, it is necessary to create systems for collection and recycling of batteries. In this way, so that during the production of new equipment use recycled materials as much as possible.

Collection of used baterries

Under current law, retail outlets for the sale of new battery are required to collect from the buyer of spent lead acid battery (acid). In addition, operators who place batteries on the market are required to create such a system for the collection of used batteries to any consumer, regardless of their location can easily give away your used battery for recycling.

Following the recommendations of the act we created a network of points where we receive the old batteries: Here you can buy new and return used batteries.

All used batteries are collected and sent to recycling plants. There are broken down into its constituent parts, crushed and subjected to mechanical and chemical processes, which convert waste products into raw materials for further use.

The main products obtained in the recycling process are:

- Refined lead and lead alloys mainly received by producers of lead-acid batteries.

- Rolled and extruded products made of lead and lead alloys

- Crystalline sodium sulphate, used in the chemical industry, mainly for the production of detergents

- Polypropylene granules - used in the production of plastics.

BATERRY RECYCLING - ACTIVE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Baterry and the environment....

According to the Polish Association of Manufacturers and Importers of Batteries and Battery in Poland in 2003 in the Polish market has been made (produced in Poland and imported from abroad and sold in the country together):

- 2 528 101 units of lead acid batteries for cars of which 2 269 833 units have been sold to the domestic aftermarket (replacement batteries for cars in use)

- 258 268 units have been sold to car factories in Poland in order to install them in new cars

At the same time in 2003, were produced in Poland and exported abroad:

- 2 852 704 units of lead acid batteries cars.

The total amount of production and import of lead acid batteries for cars in Poland, in 2003, close to a number:

2 269 833 + 258 268 + 2 852 704 = 5 380 805 pcs

So you can not imagine the production of batteries without proper recycling system *. Otherwise the battery industry would be probably one of the most polluting the environment.

What can be harmful ?

ELECTROLYTE - Concentrated sulfuric acid, destroys many organic substances, especially organic fabrics and textiles. In the case of direct contact with the sulfuric acid may occur burns in human skin , conjunctivitis, and inhalation of vapors leads to severe irritation to the respiratory tract, pulmonary edema, and vomiting.

Environmental pollution with lead can get into the human body. In the case of penetration of harmful amounts of lead in the human body may cause damage to the nerve, kidney, and even inhibit the synthesis of hemoglobin.

One of the main components of the construction of the battery is electrically conductive material - the electrolyte, usually in the form of a diluted pure sulfuric acid.Harmful component of battery construction is lead, which in the case of the accumulation of large quantities leads to air pollution. In an important human food chain, its accumulation occurs in fish scales.

Improper storage of batteries and the lack of recycling could therefore lead to fateful environmental pollution in which we live, as well as adversely affect our zdrowie.So according to the law in Poland after appropriate processing of used batteries are used to produce new ones .

Retailer, in the course of commercial activities (including sales of new batteries) shall receive from the buyer used battery lead (acid) for the sale of a new battery.

In the event that a customer who buys a new battery does not reflect the old must pay an additional fee of 30 PLN. Dispose of the battery can also be provided later. A retailer who has collected a fee deposit is required, within 30 days from the date of sale of lead acid battery (acid), take the used battery and return the deposit fee. A retailer confirms the return of the deposit fee for special printing.

In connection with its eco-friendly policies by Opoltrans aimed at minimizing the amount of hazardous waste deposited in prohibited places ,failing to bring old battery when buying a new addition besides deposit fee to the net sale price will be added the amount of 15,45 zł. These amounts will be refunded in full on receipt of a used battery within 30 days from the date of purchase of a new one.

Point of sale receives for the sale of used battery in accordance with the provisions of the new law, thus providing the opportunity to continue to use him as a secondary raw material in the battery recycling plant.

Through these activities the retailer reduces the amount of waste that can be released into the environment or will be used for storage. This is not only beneficial from an environmental standpoint, but also economically viable.

Places which accept used batteries
* Recycling (called recycling) - one of the complex methods of environmental protection. Its mission is to reduce the consumption of natural resources and reduce waste.

Recycling is a system of multiple use of the same materials, in the following material goods and service. Protected in this way, non-renewable or renewable raw materials with difficulty and at the same time reduced the production of waste that would have to be stored or disposed of somewhere. Indirectly, the environment is protected also by reducing the consumption of fossil fuels that would be used in the process of obtaining raw materials from nature, and the subsequent management of the waste.
Cost of waste management for electrical and electronic equipment