I had kind of forgotten about her worrying until I witnessed a coworker toss dozens of batteries into the trash! She just couldn't figure out why everyone else would "save" all the old ones. When I told her we had a collection site for recycling in town, she said she had no idea that batteries should be recycled. She sincerely looked concerned and asked what we could do with them. Now that's a great question!
Apparently, it's getting harder and harder to recycle alkaline batteries because mercury has been regulated out of use in single-use alkaline batteries in the U.S. (thankfully!) and because there is no cost effective method to remove and therefore reuse the heavy metals contained within them. With that being said, there are still places that will take them. Look for a Big Green Box at places like Whole Foods, take them to a big box store, or check with your local municipality.
I recycled these used batteries from work at my local library |
Rechargeable and button types do not fall under this15 year old regulation and should definitely still be recycled!
I guess my friend and I can both rest a little better... but only a little. There are still all those other metals in them that one day (when they start to become scarcer) are going to be valued and they'll be tons of them sitting in landfill's all around the world. In the U.S. alone 2.9 billion batteries are thown away each year. And what about that acid that leaks out over time? That can't be good...
Reducing our consumption of batteries is probably the biggest thing we could do. Think before you buy. (I know you're tired of listening to that toy drone on and on anyway!)
So there you go. A truely little thing. Recycle alkaline batteries when you can but try not to lose sleep over it when you can't.
Where can you use fewer batteries in your life?
Peace,
Stacey
Speaking of electronics, most people aren't even aware that it is against the law to throw certain electronic waste in the trash in many states. For example, where I live (in Illinois) a law passed in 2012 making it illegal to put televisions, video game consoles, DVD players, printers, scanners, cable receivers, any kind of computers, etc. in the trash. They must be taken to a "registered e-waste collecion site" and I rarely meet people that are even aware of this state law- it seems to have been very under-publicized.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tip! It's a shame when good things happen in government and then no one knows about them. Thanks for doing your part to spread the word and for the environment in Illinois.
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