Green Treatment for Car Batteries
We don't often think of our car battery until it dies on us. Then we are left with the question of whether it needs to be charged or replaced all together. Worldwide we throw away millions of batteries every year. When a vehicle battery is taken to the landfill it leaks harmful chemicals into the soil and water table.
Car batteries consist of plates that sit in a bath of sulfuric acid (lead-acid) within a plastic case. When these lead plates deteriorate the battery loses its ability to hold energy and is then classified as a Used Lead Acid Battery (ULAB) which is classified as a hazardous waste.
When a car battery is put in a landfill and lead-acid leaks into the soil and water table a number of health risks can affect those exposed to it. Lead poisoning can occur when people are directly exposed to large amounts of lead dust, fumes, or vapors in the air.
Most lead poisoning occurs over a long period of time, being inhaled or ingested, and can accumulate in the bones. There are many symptoms of lead poisoning: impaired physical growth, retardation, kidney damage, and even death are the most severe cases, while minor symptoms such as tiredness, headache, aching muscles, abdominal pain, constipation, and several others can occur. Children are the most susceptible to lead poisoning when playing outdoors amongst rocks, dirt, and water that could be contaminated by lead dust.
So, what can you do to decrease the risks of lead poisoning? Easy: recycle your car batteries. Remember to wear gloves and safety glasses when handling, and keep the battery in an upright secure position and in a water tight container if the battery is leaking.
It isn't too difficult to recycle a vehicle battery and there are several options for proper disposal:
Lithium ion batteries are becoming more and more available in the car battery market today especially if you own a hybrid car. Called Li-ion batteries, these batteries are lighter, smaller, have a higher voltage and can charge numerous more times than a lead-acid battery, which means they last longer.
According to the US government, Li-ion batteries are not environmentally hazardous. Containing copper, cobalt, nickel and iron these materials have been deemed non-hazardous for landfills or incinerators. On the other hand the European Union has passed a Battery Recycling Law, including Li-ion batteries, requiring vendors to recycle a minimum of 25% of the batteries they produce.
If you are looking to reduce your environmental footprint, consider the benefits of recycling your old car battery and purchasing a Li-ion battery. If you are looking for a dependable, no hassle car battery with a great record of service and dependability, look no further than the line of Bosch car batteries.
Car batteries consist of plates that sit in a bath of sulfuric acid (lead-acid) within a plastic case. When these lead plates deteriorate the battery loses its ability to hold energy and is then classified as a Used Lead Acid Battery (ULAB) which is classified as a hazardous waste.
When a car battery is put in a landfill and lead-acid leaks into the soil and water table a number of health risks can affect those exposed to it. Lead poisoning can occur when people are directly exposed to large amounts of lead dust, fumes, or vapors in the air.
Most lead poisoning occurs over a long period of time, being inhaled or ingested, and can accumulate in the bones. There are many symptoms of lead poisoning: impaired physical growth, retardation, kidney damage, and even death are the most severe cases, while minor symptoms such as tiredness, headache, aching muscles, abdominal pain, constipation, and several others can occur. Children are the most susceptible to lead poisoning when playing outdoors amongst rocks, dirt, and water that could be contaminated by lead dust.
So, what can you do to decrease the risks of lead poisoning? Easy: recycle your car batteries. Remember to wear gloves and safety glasses when handling, and keep the battery in an upright secure position and in a water tight container if the battery is leaking.
It isn't too difficult to recycle a vehicle battery and there are several options for proper disposal:
- Drop off your used car battery at recycling centers that
accept scrap car batteries. - Check with your mechanic, many automotive repair shops will
ccept dead batteries for recycling. - Typically held on Earth Day, the Triple A Great Battery Round Up
is held by Triple A and allows you to drop off your disabled
battery at one of their many collection sites set up. Some of
the profit acquired by the recycling of the batteries is
given to environmental groups. - Some places may even give you cash for your old battery.
Metal recyclers, auto parts stores, and auto repair shops are
a few to ask about cash or store credit in exchange for your
battery. - Check online for sites that can show you where to recycle
your battery in your area by entering your postcode.
Lithium ion batteries are becoming more and more available in the car battery market today especially if you own a hybrid car. Called Li-ion batteries, these batteries are lighter, smaller, have a higher voltage and can charge numerous more times than a lead-acid battery, which means they last longer.
According to the US government, Li-ion batteries are not environmentally hazardous. Containing copper, cobalt, nickel and iron these materials have been deemed non-hazardous for landfills or incinerators. On the other hand the European Union has passed a Battery Recycling Law, including Li-ion batteries, requiring vendors to recycle a minimum of 25% of the batteries they produce.
If you are looking to reduce your environmental footprint, consider the benefits of recycling your old car battery and purchasing a Li-ion battery. If you are looking for a dependable, no hassle car battery with a great record of service and dependability, look no further than the line of Bosch car batteries.
Source...