Protect the environment by recycling batteries

The worldwide demand for batteries is ever-increasing and proper recycling of the valuable metals and other materials that can be recovered, processed, and reused from them, is important for environmental health.

Batteries form part of our daily lives: our cars, laptops, cellphones, gate motors to mention a few, however those which are improperly disposed of are harmful for environment, contributing to water and air pollution, as well as negatively affecting human health – toxic metals found in batteries are known human carcinogens. 

Industry analysts predict that by 2030, the worldwide number of used lithium-ion batteries will hit two million metric tons per year. Many of these batteries may end up in landfills even though they can be recycled, unless there is a change in behaviour. 

EnviroServ Waste Management, in our drive to be part of the circular economy, has partnered with industry specialists to recycle our customers’ batteries rather than send them to landfill. 

Lithium-ion batteries contain valuable metals and other materials that can be recovered, processed, and reused. 

When batteries reach their “end-of-life” we can’t just dump it with municipal waste. All batteries, whether for domestic or industrial use, are harmful to our environment if not properly recycled or disposed of. 

Fortunately, there are recycling solutions available.

EnviroServ offers sustainable recycling solutions for all types of batteries as part of our Value Added Services. This way we can assist our customers to adhere to all Environmental laws and regulations.

Types of batteries mostly used:
• Lithium-ion batteries 
Also called Li-ion batteries, these are used by millions of people every day in cell phones, laptops, UPS, Hybrid and electric cars. Our customers will gather the batteries until there is enough for a collection by EnviroServ.

Lithium-ion batteries are stockpiled and exported to Europe by our local recycling partners, to process, recover and recycle batteries in a responsible and sustainable manner. The recycling process involves dismantling of the battery components. The plastics, anodes and cathodes are recycled and the “Black Mass” as it is known as in the industry, is sent for mineral recovery. The good news is that there are projects in place to bring this technology to South Africa in the near future. 

• Nickel Cadmium batteries Ni-Cd
These are generally used in portable power tools. Cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal and the battery should never be broken or dismantled. Professional recyclers will separate the components; recycle the plastics and cells and send the hazardous liquids for safe disposal by a Class A landfill site.

• Alkaline batteries
These are single-use, non-recyclable batteries which are found in kids toys, wall clocks, torches and which are recycled by recovering metals 

• Lead acid batteries
These are mostly used in automotive industry and have a high lead content, which is valuable for lead recovery.  

The legally required manifests and destruction certificates will accompany each collection by EnviroSev to ensure traceability and environmental compliance, meaning complete solution based waste management for our customers, ensuring that waste is sustainably dealt with.

We partner with our customers, enabling you to decide on and implement the best waste management solution for your circumstances.

We always assess our customer waste streams with a zero-to-landfill approach. Our aim is to find beneficial uses for every waste stream that we manage and create something of value, boosting the economy by creating jobs.

The solutions we offer are practical and have no negative impact on the environment. EnviroServ is concerned with customers’ reputations and will, through responsible waste management assist you in complying with legislation.

Our teams are educated on the proper handling of batteries and we offer training to customers on proper handling and storage upon request.