Making a difference
Zac Levenson, Year 11
Hi everyone,
This week’s sustainability article is on recycling batteries. Since its invention in 1886, the battery has become an important part of our day-to-day lives. Just some of its uses include: phones, remotes and toys, all of which provide entertainment and enrich our lives. However, each year billions of batteries are thrown into landfills and while many assume that this is the right thing to do, this is not the case. This article will discuss how to dispose of batteries in the eco-friendliest way and sustainable alternatives that are better for the environment.
In Australia over 68% of batteries end up in landfill. This is dangerous as household batteries can contain harmful chemicals like mercury, cadmium and lead which can contaminate land and groundwater. Additionally, lithium batteries (used in portable electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops and tablets) are flammable and are considered a fire hazard, particularly in hot, bushfire-prone Australian summers. So, if throwing batteries away is dangerous for the environment, what other alternatives are there?
The Science Department at Emanuel goes through lots of batteries and rather than throwing them away, they ensure that batteries that are considered chemical waste are disposed of properly, avoiding damaging the environment. Next term, a box will be placed outside the science staffroom for all, where old batteries can be discarded safely. Alternatively, the NSW government advises taking your batteries to a place like Century Yuasa, a battery manufacturer that also accepts used batteries to recycle. You can find your local drop-off point here.
Another way to reduce battery waste is to buy reusable batteries. While single use batteries are the cheapest option and therefore the easy choice, by paying a bit extra, you can buy batteries that you can recharge multiple times and reduce battery waste. This is the cheapest option in the long term, and since rechargeable batteries are a fairly new addition to the market, we can expect lots of technological development and improvement over the next few years. Here’s some more information about reusable batteries and some recommendations to get you started.
Regarding lithium batteries, used primarily in mobile phones, 88% of old mobile phones end up in landfill and are full of useful resources which can make other electronics, without digging up more from the ground. Mobile phones contain plastics and metals, and by recycling them you can help save energy and resources that would otherwise be used to mine or manufacture. Furthermore, if placed in landfills, the chemicals in the lithium batteries may pollute the surrounding air and water and can be toxic to wildlife. Instead of throwing away your old phones, find a local drop-off point to recycle them here.
While this article may feel like a lot of information, our current actions will shape the lives of future generations and thus it’s important to start acting now and be more aware of, and accountable for, looking after our earth.
By Zac Levenson, member of the Sustainability Committee
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