New life of used batteries
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Recycling old batteries is an urgent problem for all countries. During the disposal of used batteries, the inner material of the battery is extracted, which is partially used in the new product. But as a result, new products with initial efficiency are not obtained.
But experts decided to correct this situation and in the company Energizer have developed new type of batteries, which are made from the old ones.
Only 4% of new batteries are made from old alkaline batteries, but this is much more than was used before.
A group of Energizer employees several years ago during a visit to a battery disposal plant noted that a whole bunch of recycled material from old batteries goes to components of road surface, paint and varnish, etc. At the time, it was thought that old used batteries could not be reused for manufacturing high-performance batteries. According to marketing director Michel Atkinson, the developers were confident that there should be a method that would help "close the circle" and make high-performance batteries from recycled material.
Energizer specialists have developed a method in which zinc or manganese removed from old batteries is processed into active components that can already be used to produce new batteries.
Today, the main problem with alkaline batteries is that its components have a devastating effect on the environment. But, according to Atkinson, the company's specialists were able to achieve the fact that in the production of batteries, much less material is used, which negatively affects the environment.
The new technology, proposed by experts, processes and converts the spent battery components in such a way that an active high-performance component is obtained at the output. The components obtained are used together with others, which are necessary for the production of batteries, but as a result, a battery is produced that lasts much longer than a conventional alkaline battery, moreover, when it is manufactured, less initial material is required, therefore, during the production process, a significant reduction of negative impact on the environment.
A new line of EcoAdvanced batteries can be stored for up to 12 years.
The price of such a battery will be about 30% higher than usual, but this is due to the fact that batteries EcoAdvanc serve longer.
Energizer plans to expand the program for the disposal of old batteries. Specialists noted that other types of batteries will also be used, and in each battery it is planned to increase the amount of recycled material to 40%.
Some experts believe that this company's strategy is related to the desire to return to the market with the help of the eco-movement, which has become so popular in recent years. While competitors are gradually moving away from sensational brands, Energizer puts on the environment.