Batteries and accumulators are increasingly posing hazards at sorting plants

Accumulators in mobile phones, laptops, and hand tools and consumer batteries in small devices are causing unnecessary hazardous situations in the material handling processes at Syklo’s Oulu and Hyvinkää locations on a weekly basis. Fires and explosion hazards can be prevented if discarded accumulators and batteries are properly recycled at designated collection points.

Improper recycling can pose an even greater risk than one might anticipate. If the accumulator of an electronic device or hand tool is mixed with combustible waste and transported to the crushing and separation line, it may explode and ignite other waste materials if subjected to compression. It is important to recognise that even end-of-life accumulators often retain some electrical charge.

“Under strong compression or when in contact with metals, batteries and accumulators can short-circuit, overheat, and ignite a fire. With bad luck, such a reaction amidst flammable materials can escalate into a more severe fire hazard,” states Laura Kemppainen, customer relations manager at circular economy company Syklo.

Kemppainen estimates that a growing amount of different accumulators end up in the wrong recycling bin, as the total number of different technologies in our everyday lives is constantly increasing. At the same time, advancements in accumulator and power source technology have increased their power output, making them even more hazardous at sorting plants when improperly disposed of.

Hazardous situations slow down the operation of the sorting plant

Hazardous situations can be prevented only through the proper recycling methods, which means covering the terminals of batteries and accumulators and sending the materials to their appropriate recycling facilities. Recycling plays a crucial role in enhancing fire safety at home, in businesses, and, ultimately, at waste disposal facilities.

“Syklo’s personnel are trained to respond to hazardous situations and carry out first-aid extinguishing work. In addition, the Oulu sorting plant’s own automation and sensors respond instantly to fires, for example, initiating extinguishing measures. However, we cannot predict everything,” Kemppainen states.

To safely recycle a discarded accumulator or battery:

• Tape or protect the terminals of the accumulator/battery. You may use ordinary tape for taping the terminals.
• To ensure fire safety, take accumulated batteries and accumulators to designated recycling points at least once a year.
• You can find collection points and battery recycling boxes in stores that sell batteries or at waste management facilities in your area.
• Never dispose of a battery or accumulator in nature or incorrect waste containers.
• For more information on proper disposal of batteries and accumulators, visit your municipal waste management website or on the sites zombiakku.fi or www.paristokierratys.fi.

By recycling correctly, we preserve the environment

Approximately 25 tonnes of waste pass through Oulu’s Syklo sorting plant every hour, with the majority being recycled for energy recovery. The sorting line is primarily intended for the treatment of trade, industry, construction, and commercial waste, which must not contain any fractions classified as hazardous waste. Hazardous waste includes, for example, pressure-treated lumber, oils, paints, adhesives, aerosols, batteries, and accumulators.

The only way we can reduce the need for virgin raw materials is by recycling. Up to 90 per cent of batteries and accumulators can be processed into secondary raw materials by extracting valuable metals such as copper, cobalt, nickel, and lead. The responsibility to recycle waste classified as hazardous rests with every waste producer.