Alkaline batteries consist of three primary components: zinc, manganese dioxide and steel. All these materials are completely recoverable and reusable in new products.
Alkaline batteries returned in the Big Green Box are sent to Retriev Technologies Inc. in Lancaster, Ohio. At this facility, the alkaline batteries are shredded to separate the steel casing from the zinc and manganese active materials.
The recovered steel is sent to a downstream mill for reuse in new steel products. In addition, the recovered zinc and manganese is processed through Retriev's patented hydrometallurgical process, which produces very high-grade zinc and manganese products.
The high-grade zinc and manganese can be used in countless new products. Presently, the manganese is used in the production of new alkaline batteries.