Disposing of Batteries - Introduction, Recycle Methods and Effect

Batteries are an essential part of our everyday life. There is no escape from batteries. Battery maintenance can be a hustle and disposing of the batteries correctly is also quite a task. You cannot just dispose of batteries like your regular household items. They contain some toxic heavy materials that can be a source of increased polluted environment. There are several types of batteries, lead-acid, and lithium being the most used ones. However, the disposing method of all the batteries is quite similar.

What do you do with Old Batteries

Old batteries What to do with them Dispose of them or Recycle! You cannot always recycle every kind of battery like single-use batteries. But, disposing of them in the battery recycle bins would do your work. Many of the batteries, regardless of the type they are, they contain hazardous chemicals to some extent. They can be a threat to you and your environment. So, recycling is the best option. However, before recycling keeps all the precautions in mind. Don’t just throw your batteries in a bag or metal container. The dead batteries still contain enough amount of power to create a fire spark or something close to it.

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Here are some of the tips that you should take care of before recycling your batteries.

Use a non-conductive clear tape over the ends of batteries to prevent any current transfer. Also, you can bag the batteries separately, if you don’t want the hustle of taping the ends.

Always use the plastic or cardboard container. They don’t conduct electricity unless there is a fiery spark. Metal containers can be of great risk.

The rechargeable batteries should be removed from their electronic devices.

Single-use batteries also known as non-rechargeable batteries contain less amount of toxic materials and can be thrown off in the normal dustbins. But, it’s always preferable to dispose of them in separate battery bins. You never know about what it can lead to. They are hazardous as well but to a much lesser extent than rechargeable batteries. Also, disposing of them in battery recycle bins can lead to their recycling process. It is possible to recycle them as well. On the other hand, you cannot dispose of rechargeable batteries in the normal bin. Dumping those in normal bins is also illegal in most of the countries. They are recycled and that too at almost no cost to you. While you need some charges for initiating the recycling process of single-use batteries. Find a battery dumpster or a battery recycling bin near you.

How do you find a Battery Recycle Bin

You should never have a hard time finding battery recycle bins. Start from the local website of your government. Many of the municipalities host collection events for hazardous waste and electronics. Some of them also have permanent drop off-facilities. Some governments are also insisting that battery manufacturers should arrange the battery collection programs. You can also search for your battery manufacturer’s take on battery recycling.

Before heading towards the battery collection point, ensure that whether the organizer is accepting your kind of batteries or not. It can be difficult to recycle alkaline batteries but button or single-use batteries are easy to get rid of.

There are some battery recycle bins as well. You can find them on different online websites. “Batercycle” is a popular one. You can also request battery recycle bins form different platforms. There is another option of mailing the batteries to the battery collection centers. Make sure that you have taken all the necessary or even additional precautions of mailing the battery.

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What happens if you throw away Batteries Anywhere

Batteries contain toxic materials and environments. You can’t throw them just anywhere. You and our society could pay a heavy amount just because of your one single mistake. Here are some of the effects that can occur because of incorrect disposal of batteries.

A threat to Humans

Batteries contain toxic materials that can be a treat to human health. Lead is concerned with birth defects and neurological and developmental damage. On the other hand, cadmium and nickel are considered human carcinogens. Mercury- commonly used in button cells can be hazardous even in vapor form which is released by the incorrect disposal. However, a negligible amount of mercury is not a threat.

Fire

Disposing of batteries incorrectly ultimately leads to fire sparks which can accelerate to some serious damage as well. The used batteries usually contain some amount of power that is enough to generate energy and power sparks. Also, don’t dispose of a large number of alkaline batteries together. A small mistake in disposing of the batteries can lead to great damage. Grouping the dead and used batteries can increase safety risk.

Pollution

The depleted batteries tossed off in the normal trash bins go in the landfills ultimately contributing towards land, soil, and even water pollution. They decay and corrode, releasing harmful chemicals in the water, contributing towards contaminating the water. The vaporized form of toxic chemicals after the depletion of batteries can get trapped in the atmosphere leading towards polluting lakes and streams in the form of rain. Dispose of the batteries correctly and save the world.

Global Warming

The toxic chemicals and gasses released after the depletion of batteries contribute to global warming. They also negatively affect our breathing. The emission of harmful gases leads to the greenhouse effect leading our Earth towards increased chances of global warming.

Smog pollution

The harmful materials and chemicals from the batteries exhaust pollutants and undergo photochemical reactions. The thermal inversions that are usually associated with large cities, lead to a dangerous collection or buildup of photochemical smog. It can lead to human deaths. Rechargeable batteries are less harmful to the atmosphere than disposable batteries because they contribute less to air pollution. The reason is Mercury is an important constituent of disposable batteries which is dangerous in vaporized form.

A threat to plants and Animals

Incorrect disposal can be a threat to aquatic and land life both. Animals and plants are equally affected by the toxicities of harmful chemicals released from the depletion and decay of batteries.