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10 February 2010
Posted in
7) Winter Potpourri
If you are using batteries, obviously, we’d recommend you choose re-chargeable ones. It may seem like a small and insignificant change to make if you are not already doing so. But nowadays, most people have cell phones, cameras, and other electronic devices on the go with them at all times, that are battery operated.
To take the sustainability point further, we could suggest getting rid of your technological gadgets, tools and toys altogether to avoid the need for batteries in the first place. But rather than try to ‘boat upstream without a paddle’, we thought we suggest you limit your battery use when you can; use re-chargeable batteries; and if you can’t, use proper ‘Battery Care’ as Bridget suggests below.Battery Care by Bridget Oland
If you’re anything like us you have a kitchen junk drawer full of spent batteries (or batteries you think are worn out but you really can’t remember where they came from or how long they’ve been in there.) I had been ignoring these batteries until, over Christmas when my brother-in-law asked me what should be done with them.
It was a timely question - 40% of annual battery sales happen during the holidays. That’s no surprise when you consider the increased use of cameras and camcorders over the holidays plus all those battery operated gifts.
Since it is estimated that your average individual tosses about eight single use batteries a year, having a drawer full isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It means that you haven’t been putting them in the trash.
Here are some things you can do with them:
- Avoid the Garbage
- Recycle Your Batteries
- Recycling Locations
- Switch to Rechargeables
Avoid the Garbage
Batteries don’t belong in the landfill. Whether they’re single use alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D), lithium, button style or rechargeable batteries, there is a safe place for each of these and it isn’t your household trash.
Recycle Your Batteries
Even though many manufacturers of single use batteries say they should simply be tossed when worn out (which isn’t true) all batteries need to be handled with care.
Some are at the very least caustic while others contain heavy metals and other toxic stuff.
All can be recycled to varying degrees so it’s important to help them get into their proper recycling stream.
Recycling Locations
For a one-stop drop off you can take everything (rechargeable batteries, single use alkaline batteries, cell phones, CD Players, MP3 Players, CDs, Portable DVD Players) to Future Shop and look for the Greentec drop box.
As another option, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (established by battery manufacturers) operates a free rechargeable battery and cell phone collection program. In our area (NB & NS) look for drop off boxes at The Source, Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Future Shop and Staples. Along with the common household rechargeable batteries you can drop off worn out rechargeable batteries from power tools, digital cameras, cellular and cordless phones, laptops, MP3 players and any other rechargeable that won’t hold a charge any longer. Visit their website (www.call2recycle.org) for a complete listing of local drop off locations.
Switch to Rechargeables or None at All
Now that you know how to dispose of batteries safely, you might want to consider changing your battery habits. A great place to start is to ban single use batteries from your life (except for your smoke detectors) and switch to rechargeable batteries wherever possible. A standard rechargeable battery can replace up to 300 single use batteries.
And one more tip: Before you buy something that is battery operated consider other options. Think about it…do you really need a battery-powered toothbrush or a battery powered milk frother?
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