Battery Recycling Organization

MCMASTER UNIVERSITY BATTERY RECYCLING ORGANIZATION (Mac BRO)

Types of Dry Cell Batteries Found in Households

 

 

Battery vs. Environment:

In addition to the volume of landfill space that batteries could take up, they also contain toxic chemicals such as arsenic, brominated compounds, and lead. When discarded batteries are buried in landfills, in which case rainwater can leach the toxic materials out of the landfills. These toxic compounds can cause a range of human health effects, including damage to the nervous system, reproductive and developmental problem, even cancer.

 Environmental Contaminants

 

 
Battery Recycling:

Due to the various battery chemistries, different battery types are currently recycled through separate collection and recovery programs. Many programs are not yet economically feasible, in part, due to the need to hand sort batteries so that chemicals are not commingled.

One of the most notable and successful recycling programs involves lead recovery from lead-acid batteries. Once the batteries are accumulated in economically transportable quantities, scrap batteries are sold to lead smelters for recovery of almost all battery components including lead, plastic and sulfuric acid. The recycling rate for lead batteries in 1997 was calculated at 98% for Canada and the U.S.

Relatively few companies recycle household batteries due to varying market demand, lack of manufacturers’ support, and the high risks and costs associated with handling, storing and shipping batteries. For instance, alkaline batteries used in flashlights are readily recyclable by most steel mills; however, there is a significant concern over the possible presence of mercury. Due to increased pressure to recycle household batteries, many programs are being developed and tested to recover the chemicals, metals and plastics in batteries. However, today, collection and recovery of household batteries is still in its infancy.
 

---

The Mac BRO’s Initial Action Plan:

In order to start establishing a successful battery-recycling program at McMaster University, the following list of actions should be compiled. The mission of the recycling program is to establish public relations with the program, let the university students be aware of the existence of the program and to build a foundation for the program by creating connections and obtaining funds from the university.

  1 – Apply at OPIRG to make the recycling program a McMaster Work Group. By being a McMaster Workgroup the program would receive initial funding of $150.

  2 – Create a simple name for the McMaster Workgroup, which will be catchy and will represent the battery-recycling program.

  3 – Advertise the recycling program to McMaster students. This will be done by handing out pins, posting posters, and handing out pamphlets.

  4 – The battery drop-off bin will need to be designed and put together.  Research relevant to battery storage will need to be done in order to make the drop-off box safe for storing batteries.

  5 – Permission from the Titles Bookstore will be required in order to be able to put the drop-off box outside their main exit at the student centre. Permission from the Student Centre will also be required.

  6 – Present the battery-recycling program to MacGreen, in order to create friendly relations with their program and to see if they have any helpful ideas.

  7 – Ask the city of Hamilton which battery recycling methods they would have available for the university, and any costs related with recycling the batteries threw the city.

  8 - Talk to a few battery companies or local electronics stores about any battery recycling opinions or suggestions that they may have. This could lead to creating partnerships with the local community