Recycling - The Secret Life of Batteries. And Your UPS
Tuesday, May 6th, 2008
Large telephone systems are typically protected by large banks of car-sized back-up batteries. Basically, these are chunkier versions of your dinky UPS that should keep your network afloat and equipment purring should green activists decide to dismantle the national grid.
Can I be honest with you? They are an utter pain, demanding utmost caution if still “live”. They are heavy, and not worth much, despite being packed with lead They demand good old “grunt and heave” manual handling, unlike equipment that can simply be disconnected and wheeled away.
However, having dealt with them since 1999, we have gained a large chunk of experience in handling them and disposing of them, as we have a relationship with the major UK reprocesser. Mainly, we’ve dealt with the lead-acid-gel type, but have also removed and recycled the far more hazardous and demanding wet-cell type. Lots of acid slopping around in clear cases to concentrate the mind…
And their “secret life”? As time goes on, the terminals can develop the most spectacular effects (illustrated) if not looked after. And their sides can begin to distort, changing the dead-straight sides into the curves of a pregnant guinea pig. Plastic cases go very brittle indeed, pieces flying off like shrapnel if damaged. Or adhere to shelves. Or each other.
There is no doubt that they are hazardous waste, and we document every move of them. Oh, and did I mention the need for insulated tools and gloves, special vehicle markings, spill kits, personal protective equipment, etc, etc. And lots of thought and care…Good news! It’s reckoned that over 90% of lead-acid batteries are recycled, so they are something of a recycling success story. Compare and contrast with the tonnes of nickel-cadmium domestic “AA” batteries simply tossed into domestic waste each year. One of the classic paradoxes of recycling; Joe Public can get away with doing naughty things with waste that most of us recycling professionals would be prosecuted over.Oh, and we’ve handled UPS equipment, too. So if you have these for removal and disposal/recycling, we can do it properly.Don’t try and lift them yourselves, by the way.
There is no doubt that they are hazardous waste, and we document every move of them. Oh, and did I mention the need for insulated tools and gloves, special vehicle markings, spill kits, personal protective equipment, etc, etc. And lots of thought and care…Good news! It’s reckoned that over 90% of lead-acid batteries are recycled, so they are something of a recycling success story. Compare and contrast with the tonnes of nickel-cadmium domestic “AA” batteries simply tossed into domestic waste each year. One of the classic paradoxes of recycling; Joe Public can get away with doing naughty things with waste that most of us recycling professionals would be prosecuted over.Oh, and we’ve handled UPS equipment, too. So if you have these for removal and disposal/recycling, we can do it properly.Don’t try and lift them yourselves, by the way.
I’m sure, eventually, we’ll get to like this work…
