How to Dispose of Car Batteries: Basic Guidelines

Sooner or later, an EDCON battery in your car will go out of service. Its service life depends on several factors: the type of battery, the conditions of its operation, and the degree of care it receives during operation. On average, it can last up to 7 years, after which you will be faced with the question of what to do with an unused battery, how to dispose of or store it properly?

Recycling a car battery is an important process:

1. Never just throw it in the garbage. The battery contains toxic substances such as lead and sulphuric acid that are harmful to the environment;
2. Always take it only to specialized battery drop-off locations, or to car repair shops and auto parts stores that collect car batteries;
3. Carefully store it in a dry and protected place away from sources of heat and moisture, if you cannot take it to a collection point.

As a rule, the disposal includes several stages:

1. Transportation. Spent batteries collected in a designated place are transported to disposal facilities, subject to special transportation requirements to avoid leaks and damage in the process;
2. Disassembly. At the first stage, the battery is disassembled into components in compliance with all safety standards: removal of terminals, plastic casing, and other components;
3. Lead recycling. Lead is purified and can be used to produce new batteries or other lead products;
4. Electrolyte processing. Sulphuric acid contained in the electrolyte is neutralized using special chemical processes or diluted with water to a safe level, after which it can be disposed of as hazardous waste;
5. Plastic parts. Plastic battery elements are recycled and used to produce new plastic products;
6. Disposal of residues. The remaining materials that cannot be recycled are disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations and standards.

The process of recycling car batteries is strictly regulated by law in order to minimize the negative impact on the environment and human health.

Here’s how to properly store an unused battery that you don’t have the opportunity to get recycled:

1. Choose a storage place in a dry, well-ventilated room, away from heat sources and direct sunlight;
2. If possible, store the battery in a special container;
3. Make sure that the terminals are protected from short circuits, use electrical tape or special protective caps for insulation;
4. Store only in an upright position to avoid electrolyte leaks;
5. Do not put heavy objects onto the battery.

Proper storage and disposal of car batteries is not only a matter of safety and health, but also an important measure in protecting the environment.