The journey of batteries
You are at home, sitting on the sofa, ready to watch your favourite tv show, you pick up the remote control and… it is not working.
No panic, it was only the battery, your evening is safe! But now that you have replaced it, what should you do with the old battery?
No, don’t look at your waste bin, it is not the solution.
But why?
· 97% of all batteries sold in Australia end up in general waste landfills, meaning over 8000 tons every year
· Batteries contain toxic and hazardous substances (like lead, cadmium and mercury) that contaminate soils and water
· Batteries (in particular lithium-ion ones) can lead to major fires and explosion on garbage trucks, recycling trucks, landfills, and recycling centres
· When recycled, 95% of the components of a battery are recoverable and can be turned into new batteries or new products
So, what are some good practices when dealing with batteries?
· Consider buying rechargeable batteries
Approximately 70% of batteries sold each year in Australia are single-use batteries. Buying rechargeable batteries can help you save money, as you can recharge them more than 1000 times. Moreover, it reduces the use of finite natural resources and reduces the release of greenhouse gas emissions (just remember to dispose of them correctly once they stop working)
· Extend the life of your batteries
Try to minimise battery usage by connecting appliances to the mains power where possible
· Recycle your batteries
Book a Power PickUp, we are more than happy to take care of all your batteries (yes, any type of battery) and give them a new life… looking a lot like their previous one as most of the components can be turned into new batteries, or in additives for ceramics or plastics.