Our modern, increasingly mobile world would likely come to a screeching halt were it not for the humble, venerable battery. However, at a time when our dependence on batteries continues to increase, most of us are unsure how to dispose of them.
We tend to refer to batteries based on their size, such as "AA" or "D", or think of them in terms of the devices they power, like "car battery" or "laptop battery", but when it is a question of disposal, it is likely helpful to think of them in terms of the metals they contain. Some states and municipalities have already instituted recycling programs, and that is a good place to start.
The four most common types of batteries we use every day are: alkaline-manganese, the familiar, classic non-rechargeable battery; lead-acid, most commonly used to power vehicles; lithium-ion, found in commercial electronic devices, such as cellular phones, laptop computers,portable mp3 players, and electric cars; nickel-cadmium, the inexpensive, rechargeable batteries that have been widely used to replace the alkaline-magnesium cells; and silver oxide, which are the small, round, watch and hearing-aid batteries.
Alkaline batteries can be disposed of with the trash, or recycled, as they no longer contain mercury. If your area has not instituted a recycling program, you may want to consider a mail-in recycling program. If this is impractical for what ever reason, you can lessen their impact in landfills, by taping the ends of the batteries and placing several of them in a sealed plastic bag.
The lead-acid batteries used in cars and other vehicles are very easy to recycle when purchasing a new one, making them the most commonly recycled battery. DIY mechanics will need to contact their local recycling program.
Lithium-ion batteries are usually turned in with their respective electronic device when upgrading or in a special receptacle, at many retail stores, as part of a battery industry recycling program. Dead lithium-ion batteries should be stored in cool locations but not placed in landfills, where they pose an explosion hazard.
Nickel-Cadmium batteries, like the lithium-ion cells, can be disposed of as part of the same Recharge Battery Recycling Corporation program. The recycling fee is included in the cost of these batteries, unbeknown to most consumers.
The long life of silver-oxide batteries make their mercury content less of a concern and are usually accepted by local recycling programs to recover the valuable metals.
Jason Grace
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
Germany
