Benefits

5 Reasons Why You Should Choose Our Service

The Battery Transport & Storage (BTS) Container and Battery Rescue collection service, reduces your risks and delivers the following benefits;

1. Improves Workplace & Public Safety 

2. Improved Environmental Outcomes

The BTS Container and Battery Rescue collection system delivers improved environmental outcomes, by:

  • The BTS Container ensures that any battery acid leaks are captured during storage and transportation to the Battery Reprocessor, where the sulfuric acid, which contain high levels of en-trained toxic lead,  can be safely recycled into sodium sulphate or gypsum.
  • Eliminates the need to wrap batteries in plastic, then apply strapping and temporary dangerous goods labeling, all of which is disposed of as waste by the battery recycling plants when unpacking the shipment.
  • It will eliminate the stockpiling of batteries by battery aggregators, where batteries are often stored outdoors and without a bunded container to capture any acid leaks into the environment.

Read our White Paper on creating a safer and more environmentally sustainable used battery recycling industry for Australia

ISO 14001 is an internationally accepted standard that outlines how to put an effective environmental management system in place. In order to obtain ISO 14001 Certification your company will need to demonstrate that you have regulation compliant systems for managing dangerous goods and hazardous wastes such as used lead acid batteries.

3. Convenience & Efficiency

The stacking of batteries into the BTS Container, is easy and when full the container can be closed and ready for transport in less than 30 seconds. Wood pallets, the industry default device, require separators between each layer of batteries, wrapping, strapping and labeling. Unavailability of the right materials or poor operator training / attitudes frequently result in shipments on wood pallets not complying with the Australian Code for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods. At Battery Rescue we believe the use of wood pallets should be eliminated.

4. Delivers Regulation Compliance

Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB’s) are a controlled “Hazardous Waste” and designated “Dangerous Good”  and as such must be stored, handled and transported in accordance with a range of State and Federal regulations. The reality is that the majority of Used Battery Generators are not complying with these regulations.

Common issues include batteries not being stored on a bunded device / area or undercover and as consignors,  not meeting their “chain of responsibility” obligations when arranging for a subcontractor to transport their batteries. For a summary of the Western Australian storage and transport regulations click here.

Businesses are not only responsible for ensuring that their work practices comply with Australian Work Health and Safety laws, Environmental Protection Regulations and Transportation Laws, they also have a “Chain Of Responsibility” meaning that responsibility extends to their subcontractors.

In particular when subcontracting transport companies to transport lead acid batteries, consignors have a “Chain of Responsibility” to ensure that the transport company is complying with the Australian code for the transportation of dangerous goods and heavy vehicle laws.

Recent strengthening of “Chain Of Responsibility” laws by the National Transport Commission have increased consignor’s responsibilities and contingent liability risks. Failure to meet these regulations not only exposes your business to prosecution and legal liability, but also employees be personally liable.

Why Wood Pallets Shouldn’t Be Used To Transport Used Lead Acid Batteries

Currently the wood pallet is the default method for transporting used lead acid batteries (ULAB) in Australia. It has become the de-facto standard for several reasons, including its low cost and widespread availability which also combine to eliminate the need to return the pallets to the consignor. Wood pallets are also the stated preference of the Australian battery recycling facilities.

The wood pallet however has several significant drawbacks when used for transporting ULABs. We believe that  wood pallets should not be used for the storage and transportation of lead acid batteries due to their inherit safety risks and impact on the environment.

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