Why can't batteries be thrown in the trash? Why is it dangerous?

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:46

Today, there is no such person who has not used batteries at least once in his life. Every home has things whose work depends on them. However, not everyone thinks, and some do not even know why batteries should not be thrown away after use and how this threatens humans and the ecosystem.

What is a battery made of?

Even one small battery contains heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, nickel, mercury, manganese, alkali. Of course, as long as these substances are inside a working battery, they are not dangerous. But as soon as it becomes useless, many without a second thought throw it in the trash, although each of them has a badge warning that batteries should not be thrown away. Why not? Because the battery tends to decompose, and all the "charm" comes out of it and goes into the environment, gettinginto water, food and air. How does this happen and why are these chemicals dangerous?

Why can't batteries be thrown in the trash?

It would seem, well, they will end up in a landfill, and what's wrong with that? They will lie there and quietly rot. Not everything is so simple.

A battery or an accumulator is a time bomb. In an ordinary landfill, from corrosion or mechanical damage, their protective metal layer is destroyed. Heavy metals are free and easily penetrate into the soil, and from there into the groundwater, which carries it all into lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Moreover, discharge from a single finger-type battery can pollute up to 20 meters of land and about 400 liters of water. That's not all. When batteries are burned along with other waste, dioxins are released, which poison the air. They are able to travel several tens of kilometers.

Irreparable damage to he alth

Polluted water is watered by plants, animals drink it, fish live in it, and all this then ends up on the table for people. Moreover, heavy metals do not evaporate even when boiled. They settle and accumulate in the body, causing irreparable damage to he alth.

Thus, lead can cause nervous system disorders, brain diseases. Mercury is especially dangerous. It accumulates in the kidneys and can lead to their death. In addition, it impairs hearing and vision. And when it gets into water bodies, then through microorganisms it turns into the so-calledmethylmercury, which is many times more toxic than ordinary mercury. Thus, the fish consume the infected microorganisms, and methylmercury moves further up the food chain and reaches humans. He, in turn, feeds on poisoned fish or other animals that ate the fish.

Cadmium is also no less dangerous. It is deposited in the kidneys, liver, thyroid gland, bones and causes cancer. Alkalis have a negative effect on the skin and mucous membranes.

How is the world solving this problem?

When the question of why batteries should not be thrown away is clarified, a new question arises. Where to put used batteries?

In developed countries they are handed over for recycling. Recycling is the recycling of waste, from which, in turn, new resources are obtained. Battery recycling is a laborious and costly process, and not all countries can afford it.

In the European Union, as well as in the US, battery collection points are available in all major stores. In some cities, throwing batteries into trash cans is punishable by law. And if the relevant stores do not organize the acceptance of batteries, they will face a large fine.

Some manufacturers are also thinking about this problem. For example, IKEA has released rechargeable batteries that can be recharged several times.

What about Russia?

Until recently, this was a big problem in Russia. In the Soviet Union there wereenterprises capable of properly recycling batteries and accumulators, but after the collapse they remained on the territory of Kazakhstan and Ukraine. But, nevertheless, conscious citizens thought about why batteries should not be thrown into ordinary garbage, and looked for ways to resolve the issue. They stocked them at home. If possible, they were taken away for recycling to European countries.

Now the situation has changed. Now in Russia there is an opportunity to return batteries in many stores and not only in large cities. Since 2013, the Chelyabinsk company Megapolisresurs has been processing batteries, collecting lots not only in Russian cities, but also in neighboring countries. However, do not expect to receive a cash reward for bringing batteries. Moreover, legal entities must pay themselves to return the batteries. This is because the process of their disposal is very difficult and long-term. In many ways, it depends on the amount of waste collected, which is not always possible to collect. One of the reasons may be the still insufficient awareness or consciousness of Russian citizens regarding this problem.

Conclusion

Why you can't throw away batteries, you found out. Each of us is used to being in a polluted ecological environment, and the body gradually adapts to such conditions. But you can't treat hazardous battery waste the same way you treat factory chemicals, exhaust fumes, and other contaminants that the average person can't prevent. Everyone can influence battery recycling.

Start small. First of all, explain to your family and friends why used batteries cannot be thrown away, but must be handed over. If you use them in large quantities, then it is worth switching to rechargeable batteries. You can put a collection box in your entrance, be sure to coordinate this with the Housing Office.

If you already understand the importance of not throwing away batteries, why don't you take these small steps towards saving nature and improving the quality of life? However, it is up to you to decide, but, one way or another, the future of the planet depends on everyone and everyone.