There are many types of batteries and the vast majority are recyclable, but they can cause major environmental problems when discarded. If we correctly manage the recycling of batteries, it is possible to recover many valuable materials and avoid toxic spills in nature.
The most common batteries are alkaline, and billions of them are thrown away each year. As they contain harmful substances (0.5% mercury content), they are highly toxic to the environment and take more than 1,000 years to biodegrade.
Being very small residues, they often accumulate in homes or are disposed of in the trash. By not disposing of them correctly, they become toxic waste and often end up in landfills, landfills or incineration. When sent to landfills, toxic chemicals seep into the ground, contaminating land and water.
The negative impact is very high: a single battery can contaminate more than 600,000 liters of water. With incineration, mercury, cadmium and other metals are not destroyed but instead emit their toxicity into the atmosphere.
To avoid toxic contamination of batteries, it is essential to know the recycling process in the city where you live. After using them, be sure to save them until you find the specialized battery containers. If you don’t have one in your neighborhood, you can collect them in a closed container until you can deliver them.
Through correct recycling management after its disposal, the mercury is separated and most of the components of the batteries can be extracted: plastic, metal scrap, manganese, aluminum, cobalt, nickel, copper, cadmium or zinc. All these materials, once recovered, can be reused as raw material by other industries and in various production processes.
MORE SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES
We must dispose of batteries conscientiously to ensure that they are recycled properly. Some cities collect batteries together with other recyclable waste such as paper, cardboard and plastic, while in some places it is necessary to take them to a specialized battery collection point.
On the other hand, it is important to take into account that the production of a battery consumes 50 times more energy than the battery represents, between mining, transportation and packaging. Avoiding them and prioritizing the use of devices that are connected to the electrical network or choosing rechargeable batteries (which can also be recycled) are good options to consider before buying new batteries.
Lastly, before taking them to the recycling point, make sure that they have exhausted their useful life: test them on the remote control, since they can often continue to be used in elements with less consumption.
CARING FOR THE PLANET STARTS IN YOUR HOME! HOW DO YOU RECYCLE BATTERIES?
Sources:
Healthy Housing
Easy Eco Tips
where i recycle