How to Recycle Hybrid Car Batteries
Now that driving a hybrid car is becoming more popular, drivers may find themselves needing to dispose of their hybrid car batteries. It will be necessary to make arrangements for the battery to be recycled, in hopes of re-purposing as many parts as possible.
According to theHybridCars website, hybrid car batteries are usually made from nickel metal hydride—NiMH-which is not as harmful to the environment as the more typical car batteries (made from nickel cadmium or lead acid). Just over the past few years, car manufacturers have stepped up their research and production of hybrid vehicles and are exploring the use of lithium ion in hybrid batteries which is a cleaner choice still than NiMH batteries.
Another interesting fact found at theHybridCars websiteis that hybrid car batteries are under warranty for 10 years. Thankfully, many of them will last for years longer. Thus, environmental experts do not foresee a huge recycling problem for hybrid car batteries in the near future.
If you want to know how to recycle your hybrid car battery, it is wise to ask about it at the time you purchase your hybrid vehicle. If doing so is not possible, consider the following suggestions:
-Phone the dealer where the vehicle was purchased to inquire if they can remove your battery for recycling. If so, make an appointment to get the battery removed. Under no condition should you try to take out the hybrid car battery on your own. TheBuzzle.com websitestates that although hybrid NiMH car batteries are safer than other types of batteries, they may still contain some harmful substances and thus, should not be tampered with.
-If the dealer states they do not remove/recycle hybrid batteries, ask them for a local resource who does. Be prepared to have to pay for someone to remove and recycle your hybrid car battery.
-Contact your local waste management company that provides your curbside garbage and recycling services. They will most likely either have a drop-off center where they accept hybrid car batteries for recycling or be able to refer you to a local business who will take them.
- If you have a hybrid car, you may have already been provided with instructions on recycling your hybrid car batteries. Currently, the two largest manufacturers of hybrid vehicles are Toyota and Honda (HybridCars website). Both include hybrid car battery recycling information on the hybrid batteries with an 800 number to call for instructions on how to recycle them. So, if you own a Toyota or Honda hybrid vehicle and need to recycle your hybrid car battery, look on your battery pack for the telephone number to call. Honda and Toyota tout how they dismantle the batteries and re-purpose practically every part of hybrid car batteries they receive from purchasers of their cars. Way to go green!
-Do your homework before buying a hybrid car. Research the type of hybrid you hope to purchase to familiarize yourself with the type of battery it uses. Ask questions of dealers. Phone them or meet with them face-to-face with your written inquiries in hand. Make sure you understand the procedure for recycling the hybrid car battery before you buy the car, if at all possible.
Sources
Buzzle.com website.
HybridCars website.
