Show CartThe lead-acid battery has led the way in recycling. The automotive industry should be given credit in organizing ways to dispose of spent car batteries. In the USA, 98% of all lead-acid batteries are recycled. In comparison, only one in six households in North America recycles batteries.
Careless disposal of nickel-cadmium is hazardous to the environment. If used in landfills, the cadmium will eventually dissolve itself and the toxic substance can seep into the water supply, causing serious health problems. Our oceans are already beginning to show traces of cadmium (along with aspirin, penicillin and antidepressants) but the source of the contamination is unknown.
Although nickel-metal-hydride is considered environmentally friendly, this chemistry is also being recycled. If no disposal service is available in an area, individual nickel-metal-hydride batteries can be discarded with other household wastes.
Lithium (metal) batteries contain no toxic metals; however, there is the possibility of fire if the metallic lithium is exposed to moisture while the cells are corroding. Most lithium batteries are non-rechargeable and are used in cameras, hearing aids and defense applications. For proper disposal, the batteries must first be fully discharged to consume the metallic lithium content. Lithium-ion batteries used for cell phones and laptops do not contain metallic lithium and the disposal problem does not exist.
Stay tuned next week for more on recycling…
For additional information, visit www.batterygiant.com