There are various types of consumer batteries on the market today, from the lead-acid batteries we all use in our cars to the small button batteries we use in our watches. There are household batteries like AA, AAA, C, D and also the 9-volt type. Some of them are rechargeable, some are not, but, whatever the type of battery, they all have chemicals inside them – the three worst ones being lead, cadmium, and mercury.
Ask yourself, when was the last time you recycled any batteries? It is quite possible that you never have, which is disappointing, but not surprising, as less than 5% of batteries get recycled. It is a strange anomaly as recycling batteries is no more difficult than recycling paper, plastic, glass, etc. which most of us at least try to recycle these days.
Many supermarkets and shops that sell batteries now have collection boxes for used batteries. Also, some town halls, libraries or schools have also set up collection points for recycling batteries. So, it is no excuse to say that recycling batteries is too inconvenient. If you spend five minutes looking online for places to recycle batteries in your local area then you will certainly find a few.
So, which types of batteries can be recycled?
Button batteries : These batteries, which are used in watches and hearing aids amongst other things, can have the mercury-oxide and silver-oxide reclaimed from them. This means that not only are there environmental benefits but there are economic ones too. For this reason, jewelers and pharmacies are happy to take these expired batteries from you because they can actually make some money from them.
Car batteries : These are probably the worst types of batteries for the environment, but they are also very recyclable. The plastic components can be melted down and used to make new plastic products and the lead can be used to make new batteries. You can take your used car batteries to most car battery sellers, who are obliged by law in most countries to recycle them.
Household batteries : It is a shame that these batteries, which are the most common type (used in children’s toys, clocks, torches, etc.), cannot really be used for anything else once they have run out, however, that does not mean that you should not take them to a battery recycling point. They need to be properly disposed of to avoid causing damage to the environment, and the only way that can happen is if the chemicals are drained from them before they are disposed of.
So, you now know about the importance of recycling batteries and also how to go about doing your bit to help the environment. Your contribution may seem like a small, insignificant one, but it is because too many people are of that mindset that we have the environmental problems that we face now.
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