Batteries: Why They Should Be Recycled

Power is necessary to run any machine or electronic device. Power can come from many different sources but in today's world where everything is portable many, many things are powered by batteries. Batteries provide a safe, transportable power source and are used in everything from cars to cell phones and flashlights to medical equipment.

Although batteries come in many sizes and shapes they all work on the same basic concept. The chemicals contained within the battery react with each other creating energy. This energy is converted from chemical to electrical energy by a liquid known as an electrolyte. This electrical energy then travels along a copper wire to the positive and negative electrode on the outside of the battery. When the battery is placed into a machine or electronic device properly these electrodes make contact with metal and complete an electrical circuit. Once this circuit is completed the energy within the battery is released, powering the machine.

Batteries have different types but all should be recycled to conserve resources and protect the environment.

There are two major types of batteries, dry cells and wet cells. Dry cells are sealed systems, the chemicals contained within them cannot be replaced. Dry cells are further divided into two categories, those that can be recharged and those that can not. All dry cells have a determined life span because eventually the fluids contained in them are used up. Even rechargeable dry cells can only be recharged so many times before these liquids are exhausted. Wet cells last much longer because the liquids contained within them can be replaced.

In today's society conservation of the environment is something that we are all aware of. This has led to a push to recycle everything possible, papers, plastics and metals. However, fewer people seem to be aware that batteries should be recycled as well. Batteries are made of elements such as, copper, sodium, nickel and carbon that can and should be recycled to conserve resources.

More importantly batteries contain hazardous chemicals such as chlorine, lithium, lead and cadmium which can be very dangerous to people or the environment if not disposed of properly. Batteries fall under the category of electronic waste. This also includes all electronic equipment such as TVs, stereos, game systems and telephones as well as small appliances. All of these items contain expensive and hazardous materials which should not be wasted or released back into the environment.

Unfortunately, as of yet, recycling electronic waste is not as convenient as it is for the more commonly recycled items because the hazardous materials involved require specialized equipment and personnel. If you contact your local government they should be able to provide you with a list of places that you can take these items, including batteries, for proper disposal or recycling. Some websites even have recycling kits to make it easy for you to recycle your batteries. The potential dangers of not recycling batteries and electronics make the extra effort well worthwhile.

*Battery Recycling, Earth911.com

*Recycling Kit, BatteryRecycling.com