The batteries we use are ubiquitous in our lives. We use batteries in everything from cell phones to digital cameras. We typically dispose of them by throwing them away without considering the consequences of our actions. However, as it turns out, recycling batteries has numerous benefits for us. Many people don’t consider the harm that was improperly disposing of batteries can do. We hope to change that. Read on to find out more below.
They Keep Harmful Materials Out of Landfills
Batteries improperly disposed of in bathrooms are prone to polluting the earth, water, and air. Each battery contains hazardous, toxic, and corrosive materials like mercury, cadmium, lithium, and lead. When disposed of in a landfill, the batteries decay and leak into the soil. Even worse, they can cause landfill fires due to the nature of these chemicals. For instance, lithium can cause fires when it leaks. Furthermore, as batteries corrode, their chemicals soak into the soil and poison our ground and surface water.
Furthermore, sea flora and fauna can be compromised by harmful materials, since ingesting these metals and minerals is poisonous to them. Recycling our batteries keeps this from happening and allows the wildlife to become healthy. You’ll be doing your part in saving the environment.
Recycling Positively Impacts Our Health
Exposing the environment to lead and strong corrosive acids can cause burns and danger to the eyes and respiratory system. An even more startling outcome is that we can develop cancer when these agents get into our food and air. It’s such a serious health issue that the government banned the use of mercury in batteries.
Finally, raw materials can also be dangerous for people who mine for them in developing nations. The health of workers is important regardless of where they live! To make matters worse, people who work long hours in mines for these materials usually don’t have adequate health care and can’t afford the costs associated with mining the batteries. By recycling batteries, we safeguard not only our health but also our humanity, as we show concern for the environment and empathy toward human beings. Car battery recycling services in Manchester is one great example.
It Conserves Resources
Metals, lithium, and nickel materials are used to create new batteries when recycled. Most of these materials are normally non-renewable, and mining them can be expensive. This means that we’re going to run out of these resources at some point, causing us to lose out on materials and forcing us to come up with alternatives. Lead alone is used for car batteries, weights for lifting, and hair dyes. As such, disposing of batteries properly helps us conserve resources. It’s one less problem our children and children will have to deal with—and it’s a great benefit of recycling batteries.
In short, when you recycle batteries properly, you do a lot toward helping save the environment and safeguard your health. As you can see, the problem is more nuanced than you think, harming our health, the environment, and even the workforce. Make the right decision and dispose of your batteries properly.
