Every year, more and more people think that improper disposal of batteries causes serious harm not only to the soil, but also to the entire planet. That is why many people became interested in the topic “You are your own ecologist.” Making a container for old batteries with your own hands is not a difficult process, since all the necessary materials and tools can be prepared at home.
Why it is not recommended to throw batteries in regular trash
Even a small battery contains lead, mercury, alkali, nickel and other dangerous metals. As long as these elements are under a protective shell, there is no threat to either people or the environment.
Danger of batteries for humans and the environment
A used battery that ends up in a landfill decomposes when exposed to an aggressive environment. All harmful substances that were previously under the shell enter the water, air, and soil.
Harmful components begin to travel through nature. They easily get into the water and infect fish, which can later end up on the table. Even high-quality heat treatment will not help get rid of harmful substances.
Attention! One small battery can pollute an area with a radius of up to 20 square meters. m.
Current rules
Despite numerous publications on the Internet, many citizens still do not know that almost the entire periodic table is hidden in a tiny old battery. During natural decay, extremely dangerous compounds for humans and all living things are released into the soil: sodium cyanide, arsenic, mercury, benzene. Even after hundreds of years, all these substances do not dissolve.
No less dangerous is the natural oxidation of batteries.
A person needs to remember that traditional burning of batteries at a fire does not improve the situation, since all toxic substances get into the air much faster.
Most often, people begin to think about all the consequences only when they find out that one tiny battery can poison at least 20 m² of ordinary soil and more than 300 liters of water in rivers and seas. To avoid sad consequences for all living things, it is necessary to organize the collection and subsequent disposal of old batteries.
It is worth noting that over the past ten years, the number of companies that understand how dangerous used batteries thrown into wastelands or water bodies can be has increased. That is why many different containers and containers have appeared on sale, which are designed for intermediate storage of batteries. But such products are quite expensive, so it is better to make them yourself.
Simple crafts with children. Hedgehog made of cardboard and paper
Battery disposal rules
Self-disposal is prohibited. This can have a detrimental effect on your health. Some chemists disassemble the battery, trying to dispose of it according to the rules. Thus, they obtain zinc from the cups, after which they melt it down. Subsequently, the zinc is used to produce hydrogen. Coal hearts are used as electrolysis. In this way, materials are reused.
Products marked with this sign must not be thrown into regular trash!!!
Ordinary citizens should recycle old batteries according to the following algorithm :
- The element is placed in a bag, a plastic bottle, or any container with a tightly closed lid.
- Once the container is full, which usually takes up to 10 years, it is taken to a collection point.
- Place in a special bin.
In a factory environment, processing is carried out in a different way:
- Initially, workers manually sort batteries by type.
- The used products are sent to the crushing plant.
- The processed raw materials are sent under a magnetic tape, where large body elements are separated.
- The surviving parts are sent for re-crushing in order to obtain all the iron.
- The electrolyte contained in the mass must be neutralized.
- Raw materials are divided into components and packaged in containers.
This completes the processing.
Connecting wires
You need 2 different voltages: one for the full 6 volts (4 x 1.5) and one for 3 volts (2 x 1.5). Here's how I connected the wires to the batteries:
It uses an old fuse of the same diameter as the batteries.
Remove the metal ends of the fuse.
On the first one, solder the spring and the black negative wire. On the other, solder the spring and the red positive wire again. Solder the third yellow power outlet wire in the middle of the other spring. Finally, putting it all together:
First, insert the black wire into the tube.
Then insert the first 2 batteries.
Then place the yellow wire between the 2nd and 3rd batteries.
Finally, plug the red wire into the tube. Apply masking tape to securely hold the two metal ends in place. And here is the result:
As you can imagine, this battery compartment is not ideal for frequent battery changes. But in this case there is no need to do this often. In any case, if you want to make it more durable and easier to change batteries, I recommend using a plastic tube with threaded ends and threaded caps. Where can I get them? Think for yourself!
Source
Container for used batteries
Many organizations, aware of the harm that can be caused to the environment and humanity, make special containers for batteries that have reached the end of their shelf life. A wide range of finished products are on sale.
What are they: types and advantages
Manufacturers offer for sale several options for containers for storing batteries, differing in internal volume. Such products are used at home, in public institutions, and in office premises. When choosing, it is recommended to take into account the number of visitors to the establishment and residents.
There are three types of containers:
- Small volume. Designed for 50 people, includes 1 box for 15 kg. Approximate cost: 8,500 rubles.
- Medium volume. There are 3 boxes of 45 kg, intended for 500 people. Approximate cost: 25,000 rubles.
- Large volume. Includes 5 boxes, total weight capacity 75 kg. Approximate price – 35,000 rubles.
If the container is chosen correctly, it lasts for 1 year.
Models on the market (Mini review)
The most practical option
Budget model
This is a container designed for storing car batteries.
A container with separate hatches for collecting not only batteries, but also energy-saving light bulbs, thermometers, and batteries.
You can see for yourself and order from suppliers the models presented through the Yandex Market service at the link https://market.yandex.ru/search?text=container for collecting used batteries&clid=832&lr=46
Battery containers in Europe
In Russia, many people consider it right to throw away the battery after use and safely forget about it. The collection system began to emerge relatively recently. Few manufacturers specialize in the manufacture of collection containers.
In Europe, things are different. A collection box is installed in front of each store that sells batteries. There are no problems associated with proper disposal. Anyone who brings a battery for recycling receives a discount on the purchase of a new one.
These boxes are painted bright green. There are yellow variations. The shape of such a container imitates a AA battery.
Video: Investigation of the TV channel “There are boxes, no factory: who and how makes money from recycling batteries”
Battery holder housing
And that's what was done. First the holder body. Of course it is better to use a plastic tube, similar to the conduit used for external electrical installations, but it was not possible to find a tube of the appropriate diameter. That's why I used corrugated cardboard:
You need thick corrugated cardboard, packing tape and scissors.
We put 4 batteries in series. Let's roll it up to make a tube.
DIY container for collecting batteries
If it is not possible to purchase a ready-made battery box, you can easily make one yourself. There is nothing complicated about it. A metal barrel intended for storing oil or petroleum products is an excellent base. Volume from 200 to 400 l, a drain hole located on the lid is required. The cost of an empty container is 300-500 rubles.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Using a marker, mark the door on the side of the container. Size 45 by 45 cm. If necessary, choose other sizes based on the dimensions of the barrel.
- Using a hacksaw or grinder, prepare the side cuts. After this, the door hinges and lock are installed. Only after this can you finish cutting out the future door on the other two sides.
- Since the door can be scratched during use, the edges are carefully filed.
- If necessary, the container can be painted in any shade, a drawing or inscription can be applied. Using stencils, the inscription “for batteries” is applied.
- Since there will not be much waste material at first, the container can be blown away by strong gusts of wind. To prevent this, reinforcement will be required - a bag of sand, gravel, or pebbles is added to the lower part.
Homemade author: gramazeca Photo source: pikabu.ru/story/konteyner_dlya_sbora_ispolzovannyikh_batareek_5343287
One option is to attach it to the fence with a chain.
Contacts for battery compartments. We make battery holders on a 3D printer
From time to time I make something that runs on batteries or 18650 batteries that I want to make removable.
Purchased battery compartments tend to break, and they cost so much offline that it seems that the seller decided to solve poverty issues around the world by selling them. Therefore, I decided to buy the contacts themselves in China and make the holders myself, fortunately I can. As we can see from the title picture, the contacts have dimensions of 12x12mm, therefore they are suitable for AA batteries and larger ones; they can also be used for AAA batteries, but the holders will be too large in size. Further. The lot also has double contacts for daisy-chaining of AA (?) batteries, which is sometimes convenient, but separate contacts are IMHO more versatile if you are not mass-producing battery compartments. And in my opinion, a design with single compartments will be stronger.
So, the lot states 100 pairs of contacts, that is, 100 single battery holders can be made. In fact, there are about 105-110 contacts of each type, I have already partially used them, and only then counted them, and still more than a hundred
