Why Go Rechargeable? Part 4
Heavy metal: Rechargeables and the environment

Erica A.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Heavy metal: Rechargeables and the environment

Toxic heavy metal is not what your kid brother listens to. It’s the cadmium, nickel, lead and mercury found in an array of batteries, both disposable and rechargeable, and it’s harmful to humans and animals. Runoff from cadmium mining caused deformities in animals and humans in Japan after WWII. Mercury’s toxicity is well known—it’s what made the Mad Hatter mad. Lead damages neuron connections. Even the Thomas Jefferson coin in your wallet contain a metal that is harmful when consumed in large doses and when inhaled.

If you’re not happy about the thought of tossing this stuff into a hole in the ground, there’s a two-part answer: rechargeables and recycling.

European battery manufacturer Uniross commissioned a 2007 study that claims that rechargeables are up to 32 times greener than disposables. According to the study, rechargeable batteries beat disposables by offering:

23x fewer non-renewable natural resources consumed

28x less effect on global warming

30x less effect on air pollution/ozone pollution

9x less effect on air acidification

12x less effect on water pollution

Also, rechargeable batteries cut down on packaging waste. The study points out that to get one kWh of energy, you can buy one pack of rechargeable batteries and its packaging or 93 packs of disposable batteries and their packaging!

Admittedly, Uniross makes rechargeable batteries and had something to gain with this study, but it’s still credible. Even the skeptics at Wired Magazine agree. The study was carried out and reviewed by two independent groups, Bio Intelligence Service and the Fraunhofer Institute.

Here’s some more food for thought: the EPA says that Americans purchase 3,000,000,000 dry-cell batteries each year. That’s three billion, with a B. (Dry cell batteries are most of the batteries we use, the main exception being car batteries.) The average American throws away eight batteries per year, which may not seem like much, but that adds up to 125,000 tons per year.

Now for the recycling component. If you live in California, AtBatt’s home state, you’re already required to dispose of your batteries responsibly. Check out AtBatt’s Battery Disposal Guide and free Battery Recycling Program. The state of California also offers resources here.

Part 1: Why Go Rechargeables: A Mini Blog Series

Part 2: The Different Kinds of Rechargeables

Part 3: Save money in the long run

Part 4: Heavy metal: Rechargeables and the environment

Part 5: Max Power: Take your rechargeable use to the next level

Why Go Rechargeable? Part 4 Heavy metal: Rechargeables and the environment