Karin Avila: Recycling Barrage of Batteries

Batteries are a basic part of our everyday lives. They keep our cell phones ringing, computers computing and cars running. But when their short lives have ended, it is important to dispose of them properly in order to reduce the amount of pollutants in our environment.

There are a variety of batteries used for different types of equipment. Alkaline batteries, such as Energizer and Duracell, are the most common. These come in AA, C and D sizes and are used in appliances, such as clocks, flashlights, smoke alarms, radios, remote controls and power tools. Lithium batteries are used to power digital cameras, nickel-cadmium batteries are found in cordless phones and lead-acid batteries are used in cars.

Batteries are small containers filled with chemicals that react to produce electrons. These electrons emit from the battery, producing a current that flows into the appliance being powered. This chemical stew, called electrolyte, is usually a liquid or gel - and is made of highly-toxic chemicals.

Other components of batteries contain heavy metals, which are basic elements that cannot be broken down or made less toxic. Some heavy metals used in the manufacturing of batteries include lead, zinc, mercury and nickel. These metals are not only toxic to the environment, but can pose harm to human health if people come into direct contact with them.

Although batteries only account for a small percentage of the garbage we produce, they are responsible for a significant amount of chemicals found in our environment. If thrown out as municipal solid waste, they can contaminate our air, soil and water supply when the chemicals break down. If batteries are incinerated, they can release toxic chemicals into the air, which can also contaminate the soil when it falls back to the Earth. If batteries are buried in a landfill, the chemicals inside can filter into the groundwater supply.

Here are a few tips to help reduce the amount of batteries that end up in landfills and incinerators, where they can pose harm to our environment:

· Use rechargeable batteries whenever possible. Some appliances for which you can use rechargeable batteries include CD-players, cordless phones and toys;

· Conserve battery use. Shut off appliances that are not in use or remove batteries from appliances that will not be used for some time;

· Check for long lifespans. The standard lifespan of an automotive battery is 30-60 months, but there are batteries available with a lifespan of up to 70 months;

· Recycle batteries. There are several stores that accept used batteries for recycling, including Cole Hardware, Walgreens and Radio Shack (rechargable batteries only). For locations to drop used batteries in San Francisco, visit the residential toxics pages at www.sfenvironment.com.

Karin Avila is a volunteer who helps SF Environment's public outreach team.