Why Recycle Rechargeable Batteries?

More than 350 million rechargeable batteries are purchased each year in the United States. Rechargeable batteries are common in cell phones, laptop computers, cordless power tools and cameras, and are becoming more commonly used for everyday power needs. These batteries, such as nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) or small sealed lead-acid (SSLA), contain toxic heavy metals like cadmium, mercury, and lead. The heavy metals in the batteries pose no threat to human health or the environment while they are being used, but are an environmental and health hazard if disposed of improperly.

Health Risks Caused by Improperly Disposed Batteries
Rechargeable batteries pose a serious hazard when thrown out with ordinary household or workplace trash, as most municipal waste is either land filled or incinerated. If rechargeable batteries end up in a landfill, the heavy metals have the potential to be leached slowly into the surrounding soil, ground water and surface water. In Harford County, the majority of the municipal solid waste is processed (incinerated) at the Harford Waste-to-Energy Facility. When rechargeable batteries are incinerated, the heavy metals can enter the air through smoke stack emissions and can concentrate in the waste ash, which ends up at a landfill.

According to the EPA, although these batteries make up a relatively small portion of the total wastes generated in the United States, in 1995 they accounted for about 75% of the cadmium and 65% of the lead found in household trash. When these heavy metals are introduced into the environment through incineration or land filling, they make their way into the food chain with potentially serious consequences. Health effects associated with the ingestion or inhalation of heavy metals through water, food, or air include headaches, abdominal discomfort, seizures, and comas. Removing the rechargeable batteries from the waste stream and sending them to a recycling center removes these hazards from our environment. When rechargeable batteries arrive at a recycling center, the heavy metals are recovered for reuse during a recycling process, and the remainder of the product is recycled or discarded safely.

Identifying Recyclable Batteries
It is easy to identify a recyclable, rechargeable battery. The batteries will be labeled with the three chasing arrows (recycling) sign. Nickel-cadmium batteries will be labeled "nickel cadmium" or "Ni-Cd" and state "Battery must be recycled or disposed of properly." Lead-acid batteries will be labeled "Pb," "lead," "Return," or "Recycle."

Harford Recycles Rechargeable Batteries
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use the collection sites located throughout Harford Community College's campus to recycle their home and office rechargeable batteries. Spread the word! Encourage responsible disposal practices of recyclable batteries! Collection bins are conveniently located in the following buildings:
· Student Center
· Library
· Plant Service
· Aberdeen Hall
· Joppa Hall

Source of Information: EPA: www.epa.gov/oeca/