The Buzz on Batteries

When I see that little Energizer Bunny playing his drum and acting all perky, it's hard to remember that the product he touts can be so problematic when it eventually stops going - and it will, at some point, expire. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans purchase nearly three billion dry-cell batteries every year to power radios, toys, cellular phones, watches, laptop computers and portable power tools.

Most batteries are made up of heavy metals including nickel, mercury and lead, which can threaten our environment if not properly discarded. Batteries that end up in landfills and incinerators eventually end up in our environment and/or the food chain, causing serious health risks to humans and animals.

On average, each person in the US discards eight dry-cell batteries per year - that's nearly 180,000 tons of batteries - most of which are single-use. If we start replacing single-use batteries with rechargeable ones, we not only save money, but ensure that fewer batteries end up in landfills. There are recycling programs in place for all battery materials so they should be recycled whenever possible and never thrown in the trash.

Alkaline batteries are some of the most common type and a smart choice for consumers because they last for a long period of time, perform well at high and low temperatures and have a long storage life. Alkaline batteries can be stored at room temperature for two years and retain 90 percent of their original capacities.

According to the EPA, potassium hydroxide, a strong alkali, a base, is contained within the cells of alkaline batteries. The potassium hydroxide can leak out of the battery cell if they are damaged or mishandled causing severe chemical burns if the substance comes into contact with your skin or eyes. Mercury use in batteries has been reduced drastically - newer alkaline batteries contain about one-tenth the amount of mercury previously contained in the typical alkaline battery. Recycling these batteries can recover steel and zinc, two valuable metals.

The EPA estimates that more than 350 million rechargeable batteries are purchased annually in the US. Fortunately, many rechargeable batteries can be used to power the same products in which we typically use single-use batteries. Rechargeable batteries can also be recycled at no cost to the consumer.

RadioShack is a major partner in the rechargeable battery recycling program and offers over 6,000 locations for recycling. The stores accept the types of rechargeable batteries commonly found in wireless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, radio-control toys and cordless power tools. This includes nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium ion (Li-ion) and small sealed lead acid (Pb) batteries weighing up to two pounds.

Ni-Cd batteries (commonly found in cellular phones and consumer electronics) are the inexpensive rechargeable form of alkaline batteries and can be recharged hundreds of times. Part of the built-in price is to cover proper disposal. Due to the presence of the toxic metal cadmium, these batteries are considered hazardous waste and are not allowed in landfills. However, collection locations are available in thousands of retail stores and public agencies.

Silver Oxide batteries are a common form of the button cell battery, which you'll usually find in calculators, hearing aids and wristwatches. They are known for a long storage life and the ability to work well in low temperatures. Silver oxide and other button cell batteries also contain mercury, which makes recycling a must. In many cases, a professional will replace these batteries so ask the business if it will recycle the battery for you.

Visit www.batteryrecycling.com for more information on battery mail-in programs or www.earth911.com for battery recycling locations in your area.

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Next week: Who's the Greenest of Them All?