The batteries we use in toys, small appliances, watches, computers, etc., are part of the current domestic waste production.
Some have chemical compounds that, if not disposed of correctly, can negatively affect the environment, including living beings.
These are some of the most common types:
Manganese oxide acid and alkaline batteries commonly used in appliances, hazardous due to their mercury content. They come in different formats such as A, AA, AAA.
Rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries, contained in some of the batteries used for cell phones, are particularly harmful to the environment mainly due to their cadmium content.
Lead acid batteries used mainly in vehicles.
Mercury oxide batteries mainly button format, used in special equipment (e.g. cameras, watches).
Not all batteries are equally dangerous, depending on their chemical components. In common batteries, the risk is determined by their mercury content.
Our role as consumers. How to minimize the risks of using them?
The first step (and one of the most important) is to properly choose the product that will later become waste to be disposed of.
» HOW TO CHOOSE BATTERIES?
The main thing is to try to use electrical appliances connected to the mains and thus avoid using them. If this is unavoidable, it is best to buy rechargeable batteries, thus reducing the volume of waste to be disposed of.
Product quality is important. Cheap batteries generally have a shorter lifespan and are more polluting.
We suggest those that say "Mercury (Hg) Free", since this element is the most polluting of those they normally have and so they can go in the regular trash, if we are sure that they do not have that metal.
For those coming from Southeast Asia, (those selling at 4 x 1$), it is best not to buy them.
» Other recommendations
Let's ask those who sell us batteries what we should do when they run out.
Let us ask our authorities what they are doing to avoid this dangerous waste?
• Do not mix batteries. Risks are concentrated.
• Do not mix new and used batteries. This will reduce the life of both.
• Preferably use appliances connected to the electrical grid or solar energy.
• Do not throw batteries into the sewer, as they eventually end up in the river and could contaminate the water. In the absence of a sewer system, the contamination would affect the water table.
• Do not burn the batteries, this recommendation applies to all types of batteries.
• Do not leave batteries within reach of children.
• Do not use battery-operated appliances (e.g. toys) when they can be replaced by others.
In our country there are no suitable sites for the final disposal of these batteries. Sanitary landfills only partially fulfil the function of avoiding these contaminations. Only the company ETAPA of Cuenca has a plan established for several years to collect batteries and although they do not recycle them to reuse their ingredients, they use them for other purposes.
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