Recycling batteries – why it’s important

EU targets agreed to more than a decade ago mean that the countries in the European Union must be collecting and recycling at least 45% of batteries by September 2016, but why it is so important for batteries to be recycled?

Batteries are destructive to the environment
We use batteries in our homes and workplaces for a number of different reasons, using them to power everything from grooming products, to household tools and expensive gadgets. In fact there are around 200 million AA batteries sold every year in the UK.

However what you may not know is that batteries are made up from materials which can be poisonous to the environment, should they end up at a landfill.

Household batteries often contain toxic materials such as mercury and cadmium which can leak from their casings once exposed to air and water. This leakage can be very harmful to water supplies, soil and local wildlife.

What can you do?
While some supermarket chains have introduced battery bins at their stores, the best way that you can stop batteries from ending up at landfill is to reduce your consumption, something which is surprisingly easy to do.

There are a wide range of rechargeable batteries on the market that you can power up again and again without contributing to landfill waste and the harm that it can cause. Alternatively you can use ‘high drain’ batteries which will last longer and therefore drive down your consumption levels.

However, if you wish to stick with cheap throwaway batteries then be sure to drop them off at your local supermarket or other nearest battery bin so that the useful metals such as steel, zinc and manganese can be properly recycled.

We take recycling seriously at LSPS and help individuals across Leicestershire to reduce the amount of waste that ends up at landfill sites. For more information or to find out how we can help with your waste disposal efforts, please visit our website or call us on freephone 0800 083 7807.