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Joshua Allison
Mrs. Dengler
Environmental Research Paper
7 December 2010
Disposal of Batteries
Millions of people use batteries daily in almost all electronic devices. Consequently, the
proper control of their disposal is needed to prevent the pollution that occurs when they are not
properly disposed. There are several solutions to disposal of batteries which include using
regular batteries plus rechargeable ones and putting them in landfills like we have been, using
new alternatives like fuel cells, and incineration combined with recycling which has already
started to be employed. The combination of the right ones being enforced is the key to keeping
life alive and thriving especially in these economic times.
One danger to the life of our world is that batteries are everywhere, and this is not
realized by many. For example, computers have hidden batteries just to keep internal clocks
going when they are turned off (Masters). This is a problem because getting rid of these plentiful
batteries is somewhat hard depending on where you live (Rosenthal). In the United States there
are laws regulating the proper disposal of electronics in some areas.(Rosenthal). Although the
laws stop pollution, they also make throwing away batteries difficult, expensive, and in some
cases, even illegal. We need different solutions that are easy and affordable but still don't hurt the
environment.
An easy solution to getting rid of batteries is the landfill. Regular batteries are most
commonly used because they are easy to get, and priced very reasonably. But eventually they
will run out of power or are no longer needed. As an answer to that problem, rechargeable
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batteries were created. The rechargeable batteries are very appropriate for certain situations
(Masters). They may last a long time, however, the rechargeable batteries will still eventually die
out or wear out like the regular ones (Masters). When the batteries are disposed of, which is
usually after only one thousand charges, they will most likely be taken to a landfill (Springston).
The landfill can hold a lot of trash but there is a huge possibility of leakage that will contaminate
water supplies and cause damage to the ecosystem (Springston). Thus, it is important to make
sure you live in an area where they do not use landfills before throwing away battery trash.
According to Mr. Houghton, president of Redemtech, a company that recycles old electronics,
"We stopped companies from throwing stuff in rivers a long time ago. This really isn't very
different" (qtd. in Springston). As you can see, even though landfills are an easy solution, they
aren't good for the environment.
There have been laws to try to stop batteries from going into landfills (Springston). An
example is in New York, where batteries cannot be thrown away because it is illegal (Rosenthal).
Another solution to battery disposal is simply replacing batteries with fuel cells (Hill). A fuel cell
is a power device that uses a chemical reaction to make energy (Hill). It has been estimated that
fuel cells may have a ten times higher efficiency rating with energy when compared to regular
batteries (Hill). Fuel cells would make life easier as well because instead of having to recharge
batteries you can just get more of the fuel without worrying about the effects (Hill). The waste
from a fuel cell is only a little carbon dioxide and a drop of water a day that will evaporate away
(Hill). Although implementing the use of fuel cells seems simple and straight forward, there are
many complications. For example, the resource that fuel cells use is not naturally occurring
(Petroski). Also, fuel cells have not advanced far enough to be used just yet (Hill). When they are
ready, they will take time to implement (Petroski). Finally, this solution would not take care of
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the batteries already in circulation (Petroski).If the environment is to be kept safe for the
population, there has to be a solution that is already starting to be utilized or could be soon.
A solution that would take care of batteries and is already in implementation is
incineration and recycling. Incineration is done in several places by regulated facilities. An
example is the one in York, Pennsylvania. They are energy plants that take the trash of the area
and burn it at extremely high temperatures. They can afford the cost by making energy from the
burning process. The heat from the burning makes water tanks hot and turn it into gas that spins
a turbine. The turbine makes energy which is then used for the energy of the plant and sold to
cover the costs. The one in York, PA makes about one million dollars surplus a year off the
energy. Another good feature about these kinds of incineration plants is the emissions from them
are very acceptable for the environment. In fact, they only give off less then a cigarette worth of
pollution each year and are monitored by the government to make sure.
The only problem with these when considering battery disposal is that they are only in a
limited number of areas. Before throwing away batteries for local trash, make sure they go to an
incineration plant and not landfills, as well as checking to make sure it is not illegal. If it is either
illegal or there is no incineration plant then try to recycle the batteries. Recycling may even be
your first choice. It will take some effort but there are several places to take them to recycle
(Rosenthal). Other then government facilities, recycling areas are mostly located at electronic
stores (Rosenthal). Not only are these stores convenient but some offer rewards for certain
products when they are recycled. A Google search for recycling centers near an area will give all
the information needed to find a recycling plant nearby or to ship to.
Out of all these options for battery disposal the best would be the incineration and
recycling. The fuel cells would take to long to be put in place for batteries that are already in
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circulation (Hill). Incineration and recycling can take care of the batteries being used now easily
and without much work. Fuel cells will be better later but right now they have to be advanced
enough to be useful in our everyday lives like batteries (Hill).
Incineration and recycling are the best options but only the combination of all right
solutions will truly bring the complete ease and impact to our environment that comes from
proper battery disposal. The addition of fuel cell technology funding for our future is necessary.
The money for more incineration plants is also needed. Unfortunately, due to the economic
climate, these solutions cannot be fully embraced yet. Until they can, to ensure the prosperity of
lives for the population of the planet everyone must contribute to make sure the batteries are sent
to proper disposal facilities: incineration plants and recycling centers.
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Works Cited
Hill, Michael. "Fuel Cells Could Let Consumers Throw Away Batteries." Palm Beach Post (West
Palm Beach, FL). Sept. 21 2002: 11B. SIRS Researcher. Web. 18 Nov 2010.
Masters, Ian G. "All Charged Up." Toronto Star (Toronto, Canada). Nov. 30 2000: L1+. SIRS
Researcher. Web. 18 Nov 2010.
Petroski, Henry. "Fuel Cells."American Scientist. Sept./Oct. 2003: 398-402. SIRS Researcher.
Web. 12 Dec 2010.
Rosenthal, Elisabeth. "The Maze of Recycling of E-Waste." International Herald Tribune (Paris,
France). 26 Oct 2010: 20. SIRS Researcher. Web. 19 Nov 2010.
Springston, Rex. "Most Aspects of E-Waste Not Regulated in U.S., Virginia." Richmond TimesDispatch (Richmond, VA). 19 Sep 2010: n.p. SIRS Researcher. Web. 12 Dec 2010.