Types of Damaged Batteries

Although we all know that batteries power our devices, most people are not sure how to dispose of the batteries at their end of life.  Identifying safe disposal can be overwhelming unless we have a few basics to help guide us.  To understand damaged batteries, it is best to have a foundational understanding of the different battery types. This section aims to show you what to do with damaged batteries by introducing you to these batteries, their challenges, and tips on proper disposal.

Rechargeable Batteries: These batteries can be recharged before use or whenever the charge diminishes. The following are a few common types of rechargeable batteries standard in households.

• • Lithium-ion Batteries
    • Lithium-ion batteries are a popular type of rechargeable battery used today. They are available in small to large sizes, depending on the application they are designed to power. In addition, they are available in standard AA and AAA sizes. Cellphones, tablets, laptop computers, wireless accessories, video cameras, and electric and hybrid automobiles are examples of devices that use these batteries.
  • Nickel Cadmium Batteries
    • These are small and dry batteries commonly found in old devices. They are available in different formats such as AAA, AA, C, D, small cylinder, and more. They are used in medical equipment, emergency lighting, older model electronics and more.
  • Sealed Lead Batteries
    • These small to medium-sized dry cell batteries are sealed in a hard plastic case and are easily rechargeable. They are often rectangular-shaped and are found in wheelchairs, scooters, golf carts and other modes of transportation.

Non-rechargeable Batteries: These are single-use batteries used in various regular use devices such as watches, hearing aids, cameras, and so on. Button cell batteries and AA batteries are the best examples of non-rechargeable batteries. They are available in the following chemistries.

• Alkaline & Zinc Carbon
• • • These batteries are labeled as heavy-duty or general purpose and are used in devices such as remotes, smoke detectors, toys, watches, etc. They are available in different formats such as AAA, AA, C, D, button cells, etc.
  • Lithium Primary
    • These are dry batteries commonly used in items such as tire-pressure sensors, memory backup, and more. They are available in AA, button cell, AAA, small cylinder, and custom sizes.
  • Mercury
    • Mercury batteries use to be used for items including calculators, hearing aids, watches and more. While mercury has been phased out of most batteries, they still may be found in old devices.   .

While any battery has the potential of being damaged, lithium-ion batteries the are the most common to show signs of damaged or defectiveness. A damaged battery will appear swollen, may have a reduced capacity, and may show signs of overheating. To properly dispose of these batteries store in a nonflammable container surrounded by kitty litter or sand. Then purchase a damaged battery recycling container and follow the instructions given by your recycler.

As seen, battery recycling is one of the most common solutions for all types of household batteries and devices. When looking for a battery recycling partner, you should find a trusted recycling services provider in your area to achieve this. Battery Solutions is one of the leading battery recycling services in North America that assures customer-focused offerings. If you need help identifying the type of battery or deciding on its disposal, you can get in touch with the experts today.