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How to deal with used batteries and accumulators? An eco-friendly way to reduce the amount of hazardous waste.
The world is increasingly aware of the negative impact of waste on our environment. You may have heard about the announcements of one of the larger retail chains withdrawing traditional batteries from sale. As an alternative, we are increasingly using rechargeable batteries that allow for multiple recharges. The attitude towards disposable batteries is a consequence of the use of various heavy metals in their production (especially in older type batteries): lead, mercury, cadmium. For this reason, used batteries require special treatment after use. Remember that regardless of whether you use disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries, you must ensure their proper disposal by taking them to the appropriate point. Never throw them in the trash!
Used batteries and accumulators
After use, dispose of them in a special container marked with the inscription „Used batteries”. You will find it at Baltrade in Gdańsk at Geodetów 24, as well as in schools, offices, or gas stations
One silver button cell can contaminate hundreds of liters of water! Therefore, dispose of used batteries and accumulators in special containers!
The prohibition of throwing batteries in the municipal waste bin is indicated by the symbol of a crossed-out container placed on the batteries.
All batteries and accumulators that contain hazardous metals must additionally be marked accordingly:
with the symbol Cd, if they contain more than 0.002% cadmium by weight
with the symbol Pb, if they contain more than 0.004% lead by weight
with the symbol Hg, if they contain more than 0.0005% mercury by weight
Consequences of improper disposal of batteries and accumulators
In Poland, about 130 thousand tons of batteries and accumulators are introduced into circulation annually (GIOŚ Report: https://www.gios.gov.pl/images/dokumenty/raporty/Raport-baterie.pdf). The development of wireless technology and electric vehicles affects the increase in demand for portable power sources. While as consumers we have become accustomed to the proper disposal of car batteries, we still have a problem with adhering to the rules for handling used batteries and smaller accumulators. Let us remember that the content of heavy metals in some types of batteries can have a strongly negative impact on the surrounding environment.
Improperly disposed batteries contribute to water and air pollution
Discarded batteries are exposed to atmospheric factors and over time corrode and leak. The chemical compounds contained in them can then seep into the soil and contaminate groundwater and surface water. Imagine that every year we consume tens of thousands of tons of small batteries and accumulators. Their potential impact on the environment is therefore significant.
Additionally, some types of batteries and accumulators, such as those containing lithium, can be unstable and under conditions of improper disposal can cause fires in landfills. As a result, toxic substances can be released into the air.
Choose accumulators
One accumulator can be charged up to 2000 times. Its use thus provides the opportunity to significantly reduce hazardous waste in the form of disposable batteries.
Recently, modern accumulators have been developed that combine the advantages of alkaline batteries and high-capacity accumulators. Next-generation accumulators can be used as replacements for regular batteries (ready to use immediately) in most devices (e.g., remote controls, alarm clocks, portable radios, mp3/mp4 players, flashlights, etc.). Examples of the latest generation cells are Panasonic Eneloop MCCE series accumulators, which can be charged up to 2100 times! Also recommended are everActive accumulators and those from other leading manufacturers such as Energizer Extreme, Duracell Stays Charged, GP Recyko, and Varta Ready2Use.
Accumulators save the environment and money!
Some devices require a high voltage of 1.5V throughout their use. In such situations, as an alternative to traditional Ni-MH accumulators, new lithium-ion accumulators can be used, which are characterized by a voltage of 1.5V and a relatively stable discharge characteristic.
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with our articles describing the differences between batteries and accumulators and indicating the proper way to use accumulators:
- How to properly use nickel-metal hydride accumulators?
- Your whole life you’ve been doing it wrong? - How to properly install batteries and accumulators?
- What are the differences between a 1.5V battery and a 1.2V accumulator? Are there really differences in voltage?
- Accumulator R6 (AA) Ni-MH 1.2V? Or maybe an alkaline battery 1.5V? Or maybe both? Li-ion accumulators 1.5V - a revolution in powering devices is coming
and other articles:
- Batteries and accumulators - the choice depends on the device!
- Why do fresh Ni-MH accumulators not work in my device or work much worse than disposable batteries?
- In which devices can we effectively use AA and AAA 1.2V accumulators?
- Facts and myths about charging Ni-MH accumulators
- How long to charge accumulators and other rules for using Ni-MH accumulators
- How to properly charge nickel-metal hydride accumulators?
- Is it worth discharging Ni-MH accumulators before each charging?
Examples of ecological accumulators:
4 x AA / R6 everActive Ni-MH 2000 mAh rechargeable batteries ready to use "Silver line"
4 x AAA / R03 everActive Ni-MH 1050 mAh rechargeable batteries ready to use "Professional line"
Ni-MH rechargeable battery charger everActive NC-3000
refreshing, maintenance, and conditioning functions for batteries,
How to deal with other e-waste?
E-waste - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, commonly referred to as WEEE, includes all broken and unnecessary electrical and electronic devices powered by mains electricity or batteries such as:
- RTV equipment (including televisions, players, cameras, radios, mp3, tuners), household appliances (including hi-fi equipment, sound amplifiers), electronic devices
- computers, printers, monitors
- telecommunication and teleinformatics equipment
- electrical and electronic tools
- toys
- washing machines, refrigerators
- medical devices (blood pressure monitors, inhalers)
- fluorescent lamps, LED bulbs
- flashlights
- chargers
- monitoring and control devices.
E-waste should be collected selectively, then subjected to recovery, recycling, and disposal of toxic substances. The products obtained in this way are transferred to processing plants, allowing them to be used to produce new items, such as tools or new RTV and household appliances.
The prohibition of throwing e-waste in the trash is indicated by the symbol of a crossed-out container placed on electrical and electronic devices.
In every municipality, there are organized e-waste collection points. Selected e-waste, such as LED bulbs, can be returned at collection points organized in hardware stores.
E-waste can also be returned free of charge in the store when purchasing new equipment of the same type, e.g.: you can return an old charger when buying a new one. Similarly, you can do the same with other e-waste. Just bring them to the store where you buy new equipment.
Also watch our presentation: