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Knowledge

Battery recycling: how it works

Das Bild zeigt alte Auto- und Motorradbatterien, die in einer Paloxe gesammelt wurden.

Is your car battery weakening, is your motorcycle battery giving up the ghost or is the battery in your motorhome getting on in years? Then it's time for a new one! But what happens to the old battery? Throw it away? Absolutely not! We explain why recycling batteries is so important, how you can easily make your contribution to sustainability and even save money in the process!

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Batteries - small power packs with valuable ingredients

Batteries have become an integral part of our everyday lives. They supply our cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and countless electronic devices with electricity. But many people don't know this: Batteries, especially the common lead-acid batteries, contain valuable raw materials that should not simply end up in the bin.

What is in a battery?

  • Lead: The heavy metal lead is the main component of the electrodes in lead-acid batteries.
  • Sulphuric acid: The acid serves as the electrolyte and enables the flow of electricity.
  • Plastics: The housing of the battery is usually made of plastic, mostly polypropylene.
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Why is battery recycling so important?

If batteries are not disposed of properly, the substances they contain can enter the environment and contaminate the soil and groundwater. Lead, for example, is a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in the body and cause health problems.

Recycling conserves resources and the environment:

  • By recycling batteries, valuable raw materials are recovered and can be reused.
  • This conserves natural resources, as less new lead needs to be mined.
  • The energy required to produce new lead is significantly higher than for recycling. This saves energy and reduces CO2 emissions.

Good to know: Over 96% of the components of a lead-acid battery can be recycled! Lead can be recycled almost indefinitely without losing quality.

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Disposing of car batteries: it's that easy!

Have you bought a new car battery? Great! Then you can simply return your old battery to the dealer or garage. Most dealers who sell car batteries are legally obliged to take back old batteries - no matter where you bought them!

Save deposit:

When you buy a new car battery, you usually pay a deposit of 7.50 euros. You will get this amount back if you dispose of your old battery properly.

Safe transportation:

When transporting the old battery, make sure that it is securely packed and that no acid can leak out. It is best to transport it in the trunk in a special battery container or in the original packaging.

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Disposing of a motorcycle battery: no problem!

You can also return your old motorcycle battery to your dealer, garage or recycling center.

Tip: Find out in advance which collection points in your area accept motorcycle batteries.

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Motorhome battery: correct disposal

Disposing of motorhome batteries works in exactly the same way as with car or motorcycle batteries. As these are often larger and heavier batteries, correct handling during transportation is particularly important. Make sure that the battery is secure and cannot fall over.

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Buying batteries online: how to get a deposit

Would you like to order your new battery conveniently online? No problem! Simply take your old battery to a disposal point (e.g. recycling center) beforehand and ask for confirmation that it has been handed in. You can then send this confirmation to the online retailer, who will usually refund the deposit. Some online retailers also offer special deposit vouchers that you receive when you buy a new battery and can use when you return the old battery.

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Battery recycling: A look behind the scenes

What actually happens to your old battery after you have handed it in? It is transported to a specialized recycling company where it is broken down into its individual parts.

This is how recycling works:

  • Disassembly: The battery is opened and broken down into its components.
  • Lead extraction: The lead is melted down and processed into new lead alloys.
  • Acid cleaning: The sulphuric acid is purified and neutralized.
  • Plastic recycling: The plastic casings are shredded and processed into granulate, which in turn can be used to manufacture new products.
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Lithium battery recycling: a challenge for the future

Lithium-ion batteries, such as those used in electric cars, smartphones and laptops, pose a particular challenge for recycling. Recovering valuable raw materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel is more complex than with lead-acid batteries. However, progress is being made here too and recycling processes are constantly being developed.

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Your contribution to environmental protection

By disposing of your old batteries properly, you are making an important contribution to protecting the environment and conserving resources. You help to ensure that valuable raw materials remain in the cycle and do not end up in the environment.
And you also save money!