Did you ever consider the impact of
throwing batteries in the bin?
Within the last few decades there has been a dramatic growth in
the number and diversity of electrical and electronic products that
use batteries. Most homes will contain many pieces of equipment
that depend on batteries to operate, for example, alarm clocks,
toys, mobile phones, computers, watches, torches, power tools,
radios and electric toothbrushes.
Although waste batteries are a relatively small amount of the solid waste
stream, they are a concentrated source of toxic heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium. The amount of these heavy metals may vary from battery to battery and some batteries are being manufactured without the addition of these heavy metals. If batteries containing heavy metals are disposed of incorrectly, the metals can leach out and pollute the soil and groundwater, endangering humans and wildlife.
Long-term exposure to cadmium, a known human carcinogen, can cause liver and lung disease. Mercury can cause damage to the human brain, spinal system, kidneys and liver. Sulphuric acid in lead acid batteries can cause severe skin burns or irritation upon contact. Consumers can help protect themselves and the environment by correctly disposing of all types of batteries. Use rechargeable batteries and a battery
charger rather than non-rechargeable batteries. Not only is this environmentally preferable, it also saves energy because, according to the UK organisation Wastewatch the energy needed to manufacture a battery
is on average 50 times greater than the energy it provides.
- If you have to use single-use batteries, choose brands with the longest life and, whenever possible, purchase low-mercury or zero-mercury batteries.
- Participate in local authority battery collection schemes. If your local council does not currently provide a battery collection scheme, find out if it is planning to do so in the future.
- Using rechargeable batteries reduces the number of batteries requiring disposal, but 80% of them contain nickel cadmium, a known human carcinogen, and therefore need to be disposed of safely.
The other major usage of batteries is mobile phones. Thousands of old cellular phones are replaced with newer models on a regular basis. Mobile phone batteries contain toxic materials such as lithium, cadmium, nickel, lead and hydrate metals that could pollute the earth if not disposed of properly. These batteries cannot be disposed of by throwing them together with your household rubbish, as chemicals can seep into the rivers and eventually into our rivers and oceans.
By recycling your used mobile phone batteries, you are helping to create a cleaner and safer environment. Furthermore, toxic waste cannot be incinerated. Right now, there are a few companies in Malaysia that are doing their best to help promote the recycling of phone batteries. Private mobile phone companies have placed special transparent bins on their premises. The Department of Environment in all states will also place the special bins at public places such as shopping complexes to encourage the public to recycle their old batteries.
Alam Flora Sdn. Bhd. and Kualiti Alam Sdn. Bhd would then collect these batteries. They are sent to Korea, Taiwan and France for recycling, as Malaysia currently does not have the technology to recycle batteries.
References: www.kpkt.gov.my/kitarsemula/AlamFlora4.asp , www.wasteonline.org.uk
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