FIRST BATTERY SETS INDUSTRY STANDARD IN BATTERY RECYCLING
First Battery have a state-of-the-art recycling plant in Benoni, Gauteng. This is where batteries that are collected from First Battery Centre franchises, other automotive customers and industrial sources throughout South Africa, are recycled. The facility features advanced technology to efficiently recycle used lead-acid batteries, including a battery breaker, an effluent plant for acid treatment, a lead smelter, and a plastic reprocessing plant. These components work together to ensure that nearly all parts of a used lead-acid battery are recycled and repurposed.
Seven out of the nine local vehicle manufacturers source their batteries for fitment from First Battery, so there are thousands of batteries on-site awaiting a renewed life.
Batteries that have been scrapped are moved to the First Battery Benoni plant where they are processed through a battery breaker which separates the lead, plastic and acid. The acid is neutralised and makes its way through the effluent plant, while the plastic components are converted into pellets for reuse. The lead pieces are refined and blended to produce lead alloys for new batteries. Any non-reclaimable elements are safely disposed of in compliance with environmental regulations.
“Our recycling infrastructure is a critical part of our environmental responsibility strategy,” stated Charles Van Aswegen, Director of Manufacturing at First Battery. “By maintaining a closed-loop system, we effectively reduce waste, minimise pollution, and ensure the highest quality of recycled materials for new battery production.”
The company also offers eco-friendly solutions such as solar batteries, empowering consumers and businesses to adopt renewable energy sources. This aligns with the global momentum towards sustainable energy practices, promoting greener solutions that reduce environmental impact.
Without policed legislation and accountability for shocking air quality and pollution locally, it’s great that First Battery take the environmental consequences of their products to heart and are making cognitive steps to reducing waste, while setting standards that other companies can strive to attain.
With a rich heritage dating back to 1931, the company has consistently demonstrated leadership in the battery manufacturing industry and has evolved from a traditional battery producer to a premier provider of advanced energy storage solutions for automotive and industrial sectors. This transformation highlights First Battery’s strategic focus on sustainability and innovation, ensuring that its products meet today’s energy demands and contribute to a healthier environment for future generations.
South Africa, in its’ wonderful era of load shedding, has become a top lithium battery consumer due to solar power systems installed over the last few years. This form of battery however, isn’t green to make and cannot be recycled at present locally – only in a handful of places globally due to the large expense to do so. It begs the question of how “green” these batteries truly are? With this information, it looks like the lead-acid battery is already on the comeback trail as it can be mostly recycled.
There’s also some money to be made in the recycling of batteries as the consumer receives remuneration in the form of their deposit that was placed when the battery was bought, or a Rand per kilo for the battery brought in. It’s a great way to get people to recycle.
The First Battery company already export to 40 countries. At the plant in Benoni, they recycle 80 tons per day. On average a battery weighs between 15-16 kilogrammes, so that’s some serious recycling in one location!
Story and pics by Claire Macfie
