Battery Recycling in Clackamas & Gresham, Oregon

Sell Your Old Batteries to R.S. Davis - Call (503) 655-5433 Today!

Can you guess what has one of the highest recycling rates in the U.S.? It’s not paper, aluminum cans, or even cars! Car batteries along with similar batteries are one of the most recycled products in the U.S. at a rate of 98-99%!

Types of batteries:

Used Battery Recycling

Most batteries are either primary cells (non-rechargeable batteries) or secondary cells (rechargeable batteries.)

The oldest and one of the most common types of rechargeable battery is the lead-acid battery. The relatively large power-to-weight ratio of the cells as well as their low cost, make these batteries attractive for use in motor vehicles that require high currents to start. A lead-acid battery can be comprised of up to 20lbs of lead, 2lbs of plastic and a gallon of sulfuric acid. Lead plates are the ideal materials to use in a car battery because of their ability to be recharged multiple times. Annually six million tons of lead is used around the world. Four million of that is used for lead-acid batteries so recycling is crucial to keep up with the demand. 

Why they should be recycled:

Though you might be tempted to save your old batteries, storing and keeping dead batteries is unsafe. Batteries may contain a variety of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, nickel and mercury. Lead-acid batteries contain aqueous sulfuric acid electrolyte, which is a strong oxidizing agent. If it comes in direct contact with your body it could produce severe burns or irritation on contact. Another common form of human exposure is through the inhalation or ingestion of lead dust. 

To ensure that new batteries don’t leak before they can be used, be sure to store them in a dry place at room temperature. Even though it might seem easier to simply store your old batteries, in addition to the safety hazards they cause, there are numerous environmental risks. An old battery can leak toxins into the ground, contaminate nearby water sources or even produce flammable gas that could explode.

Additionally, recycling saves energy by recovering valuable materials and reducing the need for raw materials. 

How batteries are recycled:

When a battery is recycled it’s crushed into smaller pieces and separated into three parts (plastic, lead and battery acid) to be recycled individually. The plastic is recycled and usually made into new battery casings. The lead is melted down and purified so it can be used again. Today most car batteries are constructed from 60-80% recycled material, the majority of which is lead and plastic.

Since it is illegal in Oregon to dispose of lead acid batteries in landfills, recycling isn’t just the best option, it’s the only option. So what should you do with your old batteries? Bring them into R.S. Davis Recycling and let us take care of them for you! We accept a variety of batteries including, but not limited to: car batteries, golf cart batteries, UPS batteries, industrial forklift batteries, motorcycle batteries, and commercial batteries. These can be regular lead-acid, sealed lead-acid, gel type, or absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries

We provide prompt payment, accurate grading and competitive pricing on your old batteries. For more information about battery recycling check out our battery scrap information page or all us at (503) 655-5433.