Still lots of life

in your old car batteries

The life cycle of vehicle batteries is fascinating, starting with leading-edge manufacturing technology and – hopefully – ending with a sophisticated recycling process to jumpstart the next life cycle.

However, this process is only possible if consumers dispose of their old batteries in the appropriate manner, according to a release from Battery Centre.

What do you do with your old car batteries? Do you dump them in the trash, stash them in the garage, or simply leave them at whichever place you have a replacement battery fitted?

If you are aware that “dead” car batteries still have quite a bit of life in them, perhaps you insist on squeezing out every last joule by using them to power lower output appliances.

Electric and DIY enthusiasts, for instance, often come up with interesting uses – from powering home appliances like televisions, radios and fans, to building portable lighting solutions for photography or transforming them into portable solar power generators.

If you’re not the DIY type and have no idea what to do with your scrap batteries, you’ll be delighted to know there’s still a great deal of good they can do.

Lead-acid batteries contain lead, plastic and sulphuric acid, all of which can be extremely harmful to the environment – and with more than 12 million registered vehicles in SA, the importance of battery recycling is paramount.

Thankfully, most of these components are well suited to recycling.

All dead batteries are highly valued for the same thing – lead. This soft and malleable metal is not mined in SA and is very expensive to import. It is also highly toxic and that is why First National Battery, SA lead-acid battery manufacturer, has founded the Scrap Battery reclamation project through its Battery Centre franchise network.

Old batteries are collected from Battery Centres nationwide and sent for recycling. The recycling process is effective and closely monitored.

“Recycling is a vital part of our business and essential for the sustainability of the industry at large,” First National Battery marketing director Andrew Webb said.

“It’s a win-win situation that keeps toxic waste out of the environment, creates a reliable supply of raw materials for new batteries and benefits customers with a trade-in value on old batteries.” Call 0800-333-462 toll free or visit a Battery Centre to dispose of old batteries.