I want to start a recycling business - where to start?!

[blackstagdesigns]

Hello everyone, after finding myself at a stage in my life where I need a fresh start I am considering creating a business within the "recycling" sector. I have a passion for conservation and want to make a difference in the battle against preserving our planet. I am aware you can't simply "jump" into the sector so I am considering starting small in my shed, recycling batteries. Problem is, I literally don't know where to start, can anyone with relevant experience advise where I should look to purchase batteries and then what I would do with them once I have removed them from the device etc? I know it's asking a lot so any advice is greatly appreciated

Thanks, Carla

 

[Scalloway]

There is some information on the regulations here.

Waste batteries: treat, recycle and export

Apply for approval as a facility to treat, recycle or export waste batteries for treatment and recycling and the rules you must follow.

www.gov.uk

 

[Deleted member 335660]

Firstly there are companies already recycling batteries and I would be wary of starting here as they involve chemicals and all sorts of regulations.

Secondly, as you are shed based then it’s smaller items you need that can be easily handled in the space.

Thirdly take a look around your area and see if there are any gaps in the recycling market. Perhaps taking old bikes and doing them up might be an opportunity.

You should also consider your own skills too. Could you repair electrical goods? Do you just want to collect things and move them on or literally recycle something discarded and make it good again.

 

[Frank the Insurance guy]

Good to see you want to do something you have a passion in. However I would avoid batteries - they are simply too "high risk", particularly from a storage and insurance point of view. If you want insurance for this type of work, it may not be financially viable.

As mentioned above, there are a number of other recycling or conservation projects that may be better to pursue.

 

[InsuranceBroker]

Hi Carla,

If you're looking to do this activity from the shed of your back garden at your home, I would highly advise against this as you will not be covered via your home insurance in the event of a claim related to this activity and maybe to any claims that aren't part of this activity.

As Frank has pointed out, insurance cover for businesses which are experienced in this type of activity (even with the right environment and protections in place) is a) hard to come by and virtually impossible especially for litihium iron batteries b) expensive to the point some established businesses cease this activity altogether and so it would be a good idea to perhaps consider an alternate route as battery recycling is not looked upon with favour within the insurance industry and, as a result, may mean you sign up for risks you hadn't considered like household insurance invalidation etc.

 

[mattk]

Do you have industry knowledge and contacts who will buy the parts from recycled batteries? That would be where I'd start. Find out how much they pay, then how much it would cost you to disassemble old batteries and work out if there is even any money to be made from it.

 

[Mr D]

A friend purchased job lots of old rechargeable batteries, tested each one and wired them together if they were viable.
From a few months work in his spare time he created a battery pack that could store power from solar panels.

Meaning he uses a lot less electricity now - even when power is far beyond house usage such as when he is out he can store most of it for use when its dark.

And far, far cheaper than commercially available power storage methods.