The annoyance which comes from your batteries running out is greatly surpassed by landfill workers who find your batteries in your garbage. Even though battery recycling is quite simple, it's something many people neglect to do. This is a habit everyone needs to learn: Do not put your batteries in a regular trash can. Why? These two reasons ought to be enough for you to find the nearest battery recycling center.
Old, Damaged Batteries Are Dangerous
When the battery in question is of the common alkaline variety, then there isn't any threat of massive environmental damage. However, for people who work collecting trash or in landfills, alkaline batteries pose a great hazard. The chemicals inside can burn human skin, so a leaky battery is nothing to sneeze at. That's just the alkaline variety; take a look at the damage other batteries can do.
Advanced Batteries Have High Toxicity Levels
Rechargeable batteries, while very convenient, are also the most hazardous to the environment. One common kind is the nickel-cadmium battery, sometimes called Ni-Cd. Ni-Cd batteries can have anywhere from 6% to 18% cadmium in them, which is a toxic heavy metal. The toxicity of cadmium has even led the European Union to ban the sale of these batteries for use in the home.
No matter what kind of battery you're throwing out, always double check that it can be recycled. Now that you know not to toss your batteries out with the trash, check out this website to learn more about battery recycling in Mountain View.
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