Safety question on collecting spent batteries.

[saabgoblin]

Hello All,

My place of employment currently collects spent batteries in a 55 gallon metal drum but I was wondering if this is a safe set up for collecting batteries that may have some residual charge available. In my mind, there is the possibility that the container could transmit some of the residual voltage should enough short circuits occur. Basically, should the metal receptacle be grounded or lined with an industrial plastic liner? I know that having a flammable plastic liner could be problematic as well so I am looking for some more knowledgeable opinions other than my own.

Thank you in advance for any information that anyone may be able to provide.

 

[8Fishes]

What kind of batteries are tossed in the drums?

I figure if it's the more safer variety of alkaline and NiMH, all you'd really need to worry about batteries leaking all that evil goodness they hold.

 

[Illum]

I hoard spent cells as wellm cr123As...I wrap the contacts with a couple layers of painters tape and sealing them in large ziploc bags

while they typically up to 20% capacity I figured as long as nothings touching it, its fine. I'm not sure if there are any risks in completely discharging a cell...but using a bleed resistor thats 5W or greater at around 10 ohms should drain them in short order

 

[saabgoblin]

What kind of batteries are tossed in the drums?

I figure if it's the more safer variety of alkaline and NiMH, all you'd really need to worry about batteries leaking all that evil goodness they hold.

I am quite sure that this drum will be a catch all for every type of cell, including NICAD, Lithium, NIMH, and Alkaline. I am pretty certain that the individuals turning in their batteries wont be fully aware of the potential hazards of mixing these cells.

Thanks for your answer Illum, while I may take the time and expense to cover any spent cells, I doubt that the large community that I work in will be properly trained and or informed and I am trying to help direct our recycling center as to the best and safest way to collect the batteries. It may be up to our safety department to ensure that the individuals responsible for disposing of the batteries ensure that the cells are isolated.

 

[alpg88]

i doubt it is safe, at my work we have company collect used fluorescent bulbs, and batteries, batts. are collected in plastic buckets, very similar to 5gal bucket, but with bigger lid that has ratcheting lock

 

[Light Sabre]

i doubt it is safe, at my work we have company collect used fluorescent bulbs, and batteries, batts. are collected in plastic buckets, very similar to 5gal bucket, but with bigger lid that has ratcheting lock

Use several 5 gallon plastic buckets, one for each battery chemistry. 5 gallon buckets of batteries would be easier to move than one 55 gallon drum. You wouldn't need a forklift or dolly.

 

[core]

I am quite sure that this drum will be a catch all for every type of cell, including NICAD, Lithium, NIMH, and Alkaline. I am pretty certain that the individuals turning in their batteries wont be fully aware of the potential hazards of mixing these cells.

I'm not sure I'm fully aware of the potential hazards of mixing these cells, either. How is a mixture of Lithium and NiMH any more dangerous than 55 gallons of Lithium only?

At any rate, that setup of yours sounds like it would make for one nice barrel o' fun! A simple sign saying "Please remove shrink wrap from all batteries" would be most helpful in that respect, if it somehow found itself taped to the metal barrel.

 

[Flying Turtle]

I would think the risk of a short occurring is practically nil, unless some 9v batteries were also thrown in the container.

Geoff

 

[xoomercom]

Why not just take advantage of these guys, it's free so I recently requested a box for our workplace.

http://www.call2recycle.org/sign-up.php?c=1&d=84&e=116&w=9400&r=Y