Do you ever wonder what happens to your vehicle battery once it can no longer provide power to your car? If you’re using a high-quality power solution from South Africa’s leading energy solutions providers, the good news is that almost all of the battery is re-used.1
These power solutions contain valuable materials such as lead and polypropylene.2 While they can damage the environment and harm people if not handled correctly, lead-acid batteries are well suited to recycling, and authorised recyclers are determined to recover the valuable materials.2
“Our organisation is committed to closing the production loop. We manufacture our lead-acid power solutions with safe and responsible recycling opportunities in mind,” says Murray Long, Managing Director of South Africa’s innovative energy solutions provider, First National Battery .
By following this cradle-to-cradle philosophy, Long says they save natural resources and preserve the environment for future generations.
What is cradle-to-cradle?3, 4
Cradle-to-cradle is a principle where products, such as lead-acid batteries, do not end up in landfills, but rather when these batteries reach the end of their lifespan, they are recycled, and the recovered materials reused to manufacture new lead-acid battery products.
Five-step recycling process2, 3, 5
“The great thing about these power solutions is that they’re 95% recyclable,” says Long. He explains that his organisation collects spent lead-acid batteries from around the country and transports them to their recycling plant for safe and responsible recycling according to environmental regulations. This way, they also responsibly reduce their impact on landfill sites?.
“Recycling is essential for sustainability, and for every battery we supply to the market, we recycle a similar product,” he said. Long further explains that they follow a five-step recycling process that includes,
Processing spent batteries to separate the lead components, plastic, and dilute sulphuric acid.
Processing, neutralising, and disposing of the acid.
Converting plastic components for reuse in new battery containers.
Stockpiling lead components which are refined and blended to produce pure lead and lead alloys for new batteries.
Disposal of a small amount of non-reclaimed material in a Class 1 disposal site.
By following this cradle-to-cradle principle, responsible manufacturers follow a make-use-reuse system that showcases their commitment to protecting the environment. These green initiatives appeal to many original equipment manufacturers who use a range of automotive batteries to power their petrol, diesel, and micro-hybrid vehicles
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