Some statistics show that we throw away more than 600 million batteries per year, and that is a crazy amount.
The problem with batteries is that they are not often collected as part of household recycling collections (although in some places they are). But they are also seen as a hazardous product due to the volatile chemicals used within.
However, since February 2010, shops that sell more than 32kg of batteries a year (approx 345 x four-packs of AA batteries) have to provide battery recycling collection in-store.
This means there are now a lot more places you can take your old batteries for recycling, including your local supermarket or DIY store. This makes the job an easy process, as long as you remember to take them with you when you go.
Which types of batteries can be recycled?
The batteries that are accepted in shop drop-off points are household appliance batteries. That covers AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, button or coin batteries, mobile phone batteries or computer batteries and so on. It DOES NOT include car batteries, but they can be dealt with in another way.
- All household batteries such as ‘button’ or ‘coin’ batteries from watches.
- Battery packs from mobile phones, laptops, power tools and remote control units.
- Car batteries should be recycled at designated collection points.
Why is recycling batteries so important?
From TV remotes to games controllers, batteries have become so prevalent in daily life, that many people don’t even notice that they are buying bulk packs. Think about how many batteries you need to buy when Christmas comes round, or a child’s birthday.
Toys, games, electrical products, all require batteries, and on average we use about 10 batteries each per year! Sure, we can swap some for rechargeable, but not everyone does. And when it comes time to dispose of the batteries, many people throw these highly toxic little things in the bin.
But there is a better way, and they can be recycled if you take them to a shop that sells more than 32kg of batteries per year.
If it’s easier, or you would rather do it, then you can also take them to most local recycling centres, as they will have a collection point for batteries.
In the UK, approximately 40,000 tonnes of portable batteries were sold in 2018, but only about 18,000 tonnes was recycled. If the UK meets its recycling targets, then thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions could be avoided.
One of the problems with so many batteries ending up in landfill, is that many batteries contain dangerous chemicals including: lead,cadmium, zinc, lithium and even mercury. And when those batteries degrade in landfill , theese checmicals may leak into the ground which causes soil and water pollution. Contaminated soil and water will eventually harm animals, the environment, and humans.
Recycling is the best way to ensure that this harm to the enviroment doesn’t happen.
Header Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
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