Here at EMR Vehicle Recycling, we’ve been helping drivers scrap their cars for over 70 years now, fine-tuning the process to make it as simple as possible. All you need to do is enter your registration and postcode for an instant valuation. Once we have your vehicle, we start the recycling process. One component that needs particularly careful handling is the car battery – but why is it so challenging? Let’s break it down!
Navigating safety risks
Understandably, many drivers don’t really spend a lot of time thinking about what will happen to their car after they hand it over to be scrapped – but it requires a lot of vigilance to keep the process safe. Lead-acid batteries carry serious safety risks if they aren’t handled properly, and can release toxic chemicals like sulfuric and hydrofluoric acids. These can cause severe burns, blindness and even death. Batteries are also highly flammable and need proper care to avoid causing intense fires or explosions.
Preventing environmental complications
Following The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, it’s illegal to get rid of car batteries through incineration or landfill disposal. As we mentioned, the chemicals inside batteries are incredibly hazardous, and if they leak, they can contaminate both soil and groundwater. This can seriously impact humans, wildlife and the wider environment, leading to long-term problems like reduced biodiversity, food chain disruption and, for humans, serious health issues. Similarly, incinerating car batteries produces highly toxic fumes, adding to air pollution, contaminating soil and water, and potentially causing severe health problems.
The benefits of recycling car batteries
Choosing a trustworthy recycling company to scrap your car doesn’t just benefit you – it can also make a positive wider impact. It might surprise you to know that up to 99% of a lead-acid battery can actually be recycled – even the plastic casing can be broken down and processed! Properly recycling further helps the environment by conserving valuable materials like lead, nickel and lithium, reducing the need for further mining.
As well as recycling, car batteries can also sometimes be used again for their original purpose. A skilled car recycling company will be able to safely remove and assess your battery, selling it on to power another car where suitable. Making the right choice when scrapping your car not only frees up money for a new vehicle but also gives you invaluable peace of mind, so you can rest assured that your car is being disposed of properly and responsibly.
Here at EMR Vehicle Recycling, we do everything by the book – no risks, no cut corners. All of the sites in our network are fully licensed Authorised Treatment Facilities, which means they follow legal and environmental standards to the letter. This involves a meticulous depollution and dismantling process, in which all components are handled with due diligence from start to finish.
So, if you’re ready to scrap your car and are looking for a company you can trust to handle the process responsibly, you’re in the right place. Our friendly team of experts are here to guide you through every step of the process and make sure you get the best possible price. With nationwide coverage and our simple, no-obligation online quote process, scrapping your car has never been easier.
