Battery recycling in Russia and how much does it cost?

Battery recycling is currently poorly organized. There are virtually no established battery recycling facilities in Russia. Few entrepreneurs are willing to risk opening their own recycling facility. And the government is taking no significant steps in this direction.

Why do people collect batteries?

People collect waste energy sources to save nature from pollution.

Why can't you throw batteries in the regular trash?

This is because the harmful substances found in batteries cause irreparable damage to the environment, poisoning water and soil.

Currently, all this waste is thrown into trash bins and taken to a landfill. There, the waste is mixed and then incinerated. Incineration releases a number of harmful substances that pollute the air. Precipitation can carry all this waste to other areas, contaminating the surrounding area.

Therefore, to ensure humanity's health, we must not throw away food sources, but rather collect them and take them to designated collection points. Yet, few people care about this. People continue to search for cures for many ailments and ponder why they get sick. But, in essence, seeking solutions by inventing pills is a dead end. First and foremost, we need to address the environmental issue and understand that the air we breathe is extremely polluted and has a detrimental effect on the body.

It is difficult to cure a person from a disease when he is constantly under the influence of an etiological factor (that is, when the cause has not been eliminated).

As a result of all the above, it becomes clear why you shouldn't throw away batteries in the trash. If you want to know the dangers of used batteries, read the article The harm of batteries to the environment and humans.

Collection of batteries for recycling

The collection of used batteries is carried out through a pre-planned campaign. A person, usually a volunteer or entrepreneur, who is interested in this activity carries out the organizational activities. They must also create several advertising campaigns and engage schools, kindergartens, and other similar institutions.

How to organize battery collection?

The most difficult part is getting people involved and actively organizing the collection of used batteries. To get batteries flowing into the right containers, follow these steps:

1. Contact the administration of schools, stores, and shopping and entertainment centers.
2. Agree with them that special containers will be hanging in their buildings.
3. Talk to your teachers; they might be willing to accommodate you. A special lesson might explain why batteries shouldn't be thrown away. You could also assign children to bring old, unusable batteries and place them in designated bins.
4. Prepare special containers.
5. Place them in and around buildings.
6. We need to hold special events around the city, similar to rallies. We need to involve the public and journalists.
7. Create as much publicity as possible. For example, use flyers, radio, television, social media, bulletin boards, engage environmentalists, etc.

Collecting batteries in the picture

Give me a battery and save a hedgehog.

Under this slogan, a battery collection campaign is being held in various cities and towns. This helps instill in the younger generation a caring attitude toward the environment, which is crucial to the quality of our lives and the lives of our children.

In this campaign, teachers typically explain that a single food source can poison an area occupied by one hedgehog, a couple of trees, several thousand earthworms, and two moles. This helps to visualize the problem.

Poster for the "Return a Battery and Save a Hedgehog" campaign

Sometimes another slogan is used: "Recycle your battery and save the planet." In fact, many similar slogans can be used, but the goal is the same: to save nature from pollution and live in an ecologically clean environment.

Recycle batteries for money

Some people look for places that accept used batteries for money. But you'll have to work hard to find one. Not every entrepreneur is willing to pay for the batteries you collect. Most often, the collection is completely free, in exchange for the idea of ​​cleaning up the environment.

How much does a kilogram of batteries cost to recycle?

But at the factory, battery recycling is a paid service. This means that the company will have to pay about 140 rubles per kilogram to accept faulty batteries. Just a couple of years ago, the price was only 70 rubles.

If you want to make money from batteries, become an entrepreneur, organize a collection, and set up your own workshop. Only then will you generate income.

Where to dispose of batteries?

Most people believe they should be thrown in the trash, but that's not true. Power supplies require specialized disposal. Their disposal is the same as fluorescent lamps, which must be taken to special collection points and incur an additional fee. But fortunately, galvanic cellsaccepted for free!

How to dispose of batteries?

In fact, you shouldn't throw away batteries; they should be taken to designated collection points. But you wouldn't rush to the recycling center just for one old battery. So people hoard them at home, putting them on their desks or in drawers.

It is best to take a plastic container with a tight lid and place the power sources in it.

Or you can buy specialized ones. The second picture shows boxes that cost about 90 rubles. Used batteries are stored until the case is full. Afterward, they can be disposed of in a special bin located in the supermarket. It usually has a picture of the battery source and an eco-friendly symbol.

If you're wondering at what voltage to discard a battery, it's simple. When a device no longer works from the old power source, you can safely throw it away in a plastic container. Incidentally, you can also dispose of a phone battery in a plastic container and then take it to a recycling center.

Battery container

Above, we showed a container for collecting batteries, in which they can be stored until they're full. Now let's look at the containers used for disposing of energy sources.

Once the space is full, the accumulated batteries should be taken to a battery collection container. These containers typically resemble trash cans and are located in shopping malls.

Used battery containers are made from a variety of materials. Most commonly, they are polypropylene, paper, or galvanized, polished steel. The surface is typically coated with a special powder, left as is, or painted. The color can be any red, blue, orange, or green. Some containers are transparent.

Once the battery collection bin is fully prepared, it is labeled with symbols—stickers. Typically, these include a battery recycling symbol, an eco-symbol, arrows, and various environmental symbols.

The battery recycling container consists of:

1. 4 side walls.
2. Bottoms.
3. Top cover.
4. A battery receiver with compartments for different diameters of used batteries.
5. Handles. This type of device is typically found in small battery collection boxes.

To save money, you can make your own battery collection container. It's made from regular paper. A plastic bottle can be used for storage.

Battery containers in Europe

In Europe, almost every store selling batteries has collection containers. Therefore, battery recycling is a no-brainer. Those who recycle used batteries receive discounts on new ones. Recycling boxes are typically painted a distinctive green. Sometimes they can be yellow or other colors. These containers are shaped like giant AA batteries. Sometimes you'll see a giant container shaped like a Krona battery. The main thing is that it's noticeable.

In Russia, people think it's best to simply throw the battery in the trash and forget about it. The collection system is still in its infancy, and few companies make special containers.

Battery collection points

These establishments most often operate in crowded areas, such as markets, shops, cafes, and so on.

The main points where batteries are periodically accepted for recycling are:

1. Recycling of media markt batteries.
2. El Dorado.
3. Returning batteries to IKEA.
4. VkusVill.
5. M Video.
6. Auchan.
7. Media market.

The battery collection device is installed at the entrance or inside the building. Sometimes, to attract people, it is made to look like a power source.

It would be a pleasure to recycle used batteries in such a container.

How to dispose of batteries?

Battery packs are recycled at specialized private facilities. Small companies also recycle batteries. The waste disposal process involves several stages, which are discussed below.

How to dispose of batteries at home?

This process is strictly prohibited at home. It can be very dangerous to your health. Some self-taught chemists disassemble power sources and attempt to properly recycle batteries. For example, they extract zinc from cups and then melt it down. The zinc is then used to produce hydrogen from dilute sulfuric acid. The carbon core is used for electrolysis. This allows batteries to be recycled.

For ordinary people in Russia, the best disposal option is a special box or urn.

Battery disposal rules

Basic recommendations for ordinary citizens on the disposal of lithium-ion batteries and other power sources:

1. Place the items in a tightly sealed plastic bag, plastic bottle or capacitywith a tightly closing lid.
2. Once the containers are full, which usually happens after about 10 years, take them to a collection point.
3. Throw them in a special bin.

This completes all recycling at home.

Battery recycling plant in Russia

The first to start recycling batteries in Russia was the Chelyabinsk plant headed by Vladimir Matsiuk. Collection of used galvanic cellsIt brings in a small but stable income. Therefore, doing so is not only profitable but also beneficial for the country!

The facility was originally designed to recycle microchips, electrical equipment, and other household waste. Part of the plant had to be retooled to handle power supplies.

The main stages of processing energy sources at the plant:

1. The first step is to manually sort through the element type.
2. After this, they are transferred from containers to a crushing plant.
3. Partially recycled material is placed under magnetic tape, which separates the larger components of the battery casing.
4. The portion of the nutrients that remains is subjected to repeated crushing and iron extraction.
5. Now these are no longer power sources, but a certain mass containing an electrolyte that needs to be neutralized.
6. Using hydrometallurgical technologies, the finished raw materials are divided into specific components and packed into containers.
7. This wonderful plant is capable of processing up to 2 tons of batteries in one day!

The battery recycling plant charges approximately 110 rubles per kg. Thanks to a previous upgrade, the facility is able to recover pure non-ferrous metals. Currently, the plant can recycle up to 1,000 tons of batteries per year.

In addition to all of the above, the plant launched a service for the production of boxes for power supplies "BOXI".

Battery recycling technology

After a person deposits their spent battery in a special container at a collection point, it is then transported to a recycling facility. Hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical methods are used to recycle cadmium batteries.

Vacuum distillation is particularly preferred. It produces low-quality cadmium and poses no significant environmental hazard. Sulfuric acid and ammonia are used in battery recycling, improving the quality of the resulting raw material. Sulfuric acid reduces the amount of useful materials recovered. This means only one thing: battery recycling technology still requires significant development. However, other technologies exist, one of which is presented below.

The picture shows a single-stage recycling of batteries using the pyrometallurgical method.

Step by step explanation:

1. Let's throw it in AA batteriesinto the oven.
2. Bitumen insulation and wrappings decompose into hydrocarbons. Volatile substances burn off in a candle.
3. The electrolyte sublimes and condenses in a special refrigeration unit with water. It dissolves in it.
4. Cadmium and zinc evaporate and crystallize.
5. Manganese concentrate is obtained from manganese oxides.
6. The remainder is graphite, which separates the manganese impurities.

This technology is relatively inexpensive to implement compared to other technologies. It costs 45 million rubles. The installation is also quite energy-efficient. The energy consumption per ton of batteries is 2,000 kWh. The equipment is environmentally friendly.

This battery recycling technology allows you to quickly and affordably obtain the desired raw material!

Battery recycling equipment

1. First, you'll need a unit for crushing, processing, and recycling batteries. For example, a FLEX 400 Industry hammer mill with 37 kW.
2. Various types of containers.

Typically the above installation includes:

1. Unloading hopper.
2. Control Panel.
3. Magnetic separator.
4. Belt conveyor.
5. Vibrating sieve.
6. A special mill.

This approach allows for seamless shredding of zinc batteries and the separation of magnetic metals. Once on the line, batteries undergo several processing stages.

1. First, the energy sources are fed onto a vibrating conveyor. This is necessary for distribution.
2. Moving along the conveyor belt galvanic cellsare fed into a mill for grinding, which allows them to be processed into a homogeneous mass.
3. At this stage, the raw materials are separated from the general pile in a special separator.
4. The remains in the form of a black mass are rendered harmless and taken to a special place for burial.

What to do with used batteries?

We've already discussed how to dispose of used batteries. The best solution is to take them to recycling centers or collection points. Here are some options for using old batteries:

1. Pass.
2. Make a craft that is not very safe.
3. Collect the metal frame for your own use. Take the remaining parts to a collection point.
4. Charge them. If they can be recharged.
5. Build your own business!

So, it's pretty clear how to use old batteries. Any other ideas? Let us know in the comments.

Battery recycling as a business

A battery recycling business is suitable for aspiring entrepreneurs. The profit margins aren't high, but you can gain organizational experience. Simply collecting and sorting batteries won't earn you millions. However, starting your own production facility can be a profitable venture. This niche is currently underserved, so building a battery recycling business is feasible.

The main steps to building your own business using old batteries

1. We need to open an LLC.
2. Arrange with a shopping center, market, store, or other popular location to set up special battery collection containers. The store benefits from promoting its environmental awareness. People who come to drop off batteries might even buy something there.
3. Purchase containers with appropriate eco-labels.
4. Conduct advertising campaigns. This could involve environmental activists. Give interviews to journalists. You could also spend some money on publishing ads in newspapers. Use television. Post flyers.
5. Rent a space for a warehouse for the disposal of used batteries.
6. Deliver power supplies to the facility.
7. Perform processing.
8. Sell ​​the obtained raw materials.
9. Make a profit.

If you don't know what is made from recycled batteries, then read below.

Here's what you get from 1 ton of recycled batteries:

1. 240 kilograms of zinc.
2. 288 kg of manganese.
3. 47 kg of graphite.

In reality, batteries are a valuable resource, the profits from which can exceed all expectations.

What benefits can there be from collecting batteries?

It's obvious! These are environmentally friendly cities and healthy people of the future! There's no commercial benefit to this. But on the other hand, you can collect the batteries, remove the metal core, and sell it for scrap. This again raises the question of what to do with the battery's insides? Throw them away? But that wouldn't be beneficial for the environment or for business.

The battery recycling business for the Megapolis Resurs plant is quite profitable. This is because the company receives fees from retail outlets that have set up battery collection centers. For them, having such battery collection points is beneficial because it attracts additional customers.

In Europe, for the recycling of lithium and conventional batteries to work, the state pays for the collection process.

If you negotiate with the store so that they'll pay you for the container, then it's worth the effort. For example, some retailers are reportedly paying up to 2,000 rubles per kilogram of batteries.

What does money get spent on in this business?

In the table provided you will find approximate costs for such a task.

Registration of LLC	16,000 rubles.
Advertising, both paid and free. Plus, creating your own website.	About 10,000 rubles.
Phone number 8800…	Within 5000 RUR.
Premises for rent for a sorting point and warehouse, 500 square meters in size.	250,000 rubles per month.
Additional technical equipment	About 300,000 rubles.
Used autoloader	Approximately 100,000 – 150,000 rubles.
A converted Gazelle for collecting batteries from collection points	800,000 RUR
Pay for sorting staff. Ten of them will be enough.	20,000 rubles per month. Or 200,000 rubles.
Reception staff – 2 people.	15-20 thousand rubles per month for each.
A logistician storekeeper monitors how much product is available for processing in the warehouse.	40,000 rubles.
Accountant – 1 or 2 people	30,000 RUR
Security guard	20,000 RUR
License for recycling of waste of classes 1-3	From 180,000 rubles.

Ultimately, a serious business will need to shell out up to 2,021,000 rubles for this entire project. The projected monthly profit will be approximately 2-3 million rubles. Breakeven is expected within 4-6 months.

Thus, battery recycling as a business is entirely viable. The key is to think through the entire process from start to finish and ensure the investment pays off.

 

Author of the article: Maxim Obukhov!