Batteries are a valuable product shat help us power portable equipment and some automobiles. No matter the type of battery you use, disposed of it properly to avoid contaminating the air, groundwater and soil with toxic metals and other substances.
Use
In the United States, residents buy more than w billion dry-cell batteries and almost 99 million wet-cell automobile batteries each year. Batteries contain heavy metals---mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel---that can harm to your health. Nearly 90 percent of all lead-acid batteries, such as those found in cars, boats or motorcycles, are recycled. Consequently, most lead-acid batteries contain 60 to 80 percent recycled plastics and lead, according to the EPA.
Types
There are various types of batteries used to power small and large equipment. Alkaline batteries are one of the most common types, and these are single-use batteries used in toys, cameras and other related items. Nickel-cadmium, or Ni-Cd, batteries are the rechargeable versions of alkaline batteries, and they help to reduce the number of single-use batteries disposed of each year. Lithium-Ion, or Li-ion, batteries are used in cell phones and are even found in some electric cars. The smaller, round batteries found in calculators and other compact devices are silver oxide batteries. Lead-acid batteries are used in various types of vehicles. All types of batteries can be recycled.
Significance
Recycling batteries helps to keep toxic metals and other substances from entering the environment. A study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine focused on the effects of lead---a common component of batteries---on children ages 5-12. The results showed that the increased lead content in the air and ground, including the drinking water, "caused adverse effects on children's IQ and physical development." By properly disposing of batteries, this health risk is reduced or even eliminated.
Benefits
Recycling dead batteries not only helps to save the environment and protect our health, but also saves resources by reusing plastics and metals. Recycling old batteries helps reduce the amount of waste in our landfills; Americans throw out about 179,000 tons of batteries per year. By reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfills, we can slow down the expansion of landfills around the world.
Considerations
Consider using rechargeable batteries for powering most of your smaller electronic devices. The EPA notes that by using a single rechargeable battery in place of single-use alkalines, you can reduce the number of batteries making their way into landfills by the hundreds. It should be pointed out; however, that most rechargeable batteries contain more toxic materials than single-use alkaline batteries, so it's even more important to recycle rechargeable batteries once their power has been thoroughly depleted.
Prevention/Solution
The EPA recommends visiting Earth911.com to find a local recycling center near you that accepts batteries. Most auto stores who sell lead-acid batteries for cars, boats or motorcycle batteries, will allow you to return dead batteries to them for recycling. Lastly, the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Act of 1996 set strict limitations for battery manufacturers, making it safer to throw away single-use alkaline batteries in the trash; However, it is still recommended that they be recycled.
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