FAQ's

Disposable:

1. What's the average shelf life of a disposable battery?

An Alkaline's average shelf life is 7 years.

2. Does the quality of the battery affect performance?

Yes. The worse the quality, the worse performance. Better quality, better performance.

3.How should I dispose of my batteries?

Today's batteries are reingeneered to contain low toxicity. So, you can dispose of them in the trash.

4.Why don't we recycle them anymore? Also, can we recycle them?

In 1997, the U.S. along with many international countries ruled out using mercury in batteries. After that, batteries became less hazardous, and therefor you don't need to recycle them. But, some companies do take disposable batteries for the heavy metals used to make the battery.

5. Are there any batteries left on the market that contain even a minimal amount of mercury?

Yes, button batteries do. But, very minimal amounts.

6. Are heavy duty batteries really heavy duty (carbon-zinc)?

No, they actually have less power than Alkalines.

Rechargeable

1.What does Ni-MH and Ni-CD mean?
Ni-MH means Nickel Metal Hydride, and Ni-CD means Nickel Cadmium.

2.How Do I dispose of Rechargeable batteries?

Ni-CD MUST be recycled, as Cadmium is extremely toxic. Ni-MH can be recycled, although there are no rules on it.

3. What's the difference between Ni-MH and Ni-CD?

Ni-MH provide up to 200% more power than Ni-CD.

4. Why are Lead-Acid Batteries so dangerous?

Lead is extremely toxic, and often Lead-Acid Batteries leach.

5. How do you dispose of Lead-Acid batteries?

You MUST recycle them. The Lead is extremely dangerous, flammable, and can be explosive. Plus, it is ILLEGAL to throw them away in the trash.

Evidence

Exploding Lead-Acid Battery Powered Wheel Chair

In 2008, an overhead cabin on a plane landing in the U.K. reportedly started to spark up. Blue sparks came out as the cabin was opened, and caused panic. The wheel chair was immediately taken out of the plane to a vehicle, where it caught on fire and explode. The reason was the Lead-Acid battery in the Wheelchair. This was due to overheating, as the device and battery were never unplugged. When overheated, hydrogen and oxygen in the battery builds up, and usually comes out of a vent. But, the vent wasn't working properly, and the wheelchair itself was confined in a cabin, so the accumulated gases caused sparks, and eventually, an explosion. The force can blow up the casing, cause shrapnel, and spraying acid, which is most dangerous. The way to prevent this, is to always unplug your batteries from your devices. Never let it heat up, and always take it to a company to check it. Also, contact airline companies, and other public service related offices/companies to see what you can do to ensure safety.

Case Study 2

Ipod Explosion in Japan

A IPod Nano owner reported having their Nano overheat, and started to shoot sparks out while charging. The cause of the explosion? The Lithium Ion battery in the IPod. The IPod was in a case charging and after a short while, overheated, and caused the battery to spark up, and go into flames. Even a small Lithium Ion Battery could create a decent sized explosion. When it’s hot enough to ignite an electrolyte, you get a small fire. The fire moves through the components in the iPod, and when it hits the other cells in the IPod, BOOM! Not really a big boom, but big enough to attract your attention and potentially scare you. Even injure you, as you might be burned, or part of your house could be burned. Currently, experts are doing a lot of research and the best they can to prevent this. Companies have also recalled a lot of products. Apple was forced to recall 1.8 million laptops in 2006 due to Lithium Ion batteries, Dell had to recall 4 million laptop batteries after one exploded in Japan, just to name a few. So, be careful, and if your device is getting old, get it checked!

Lead in Jamaican Environments

In Jamaica, Lead from Lead-Acid Batteries has been found in the soil, water sources, and all throughout waste landfills. The people of Jamaica are being poisoned a lot, and is becoming more and more common. 112 individuals of all ages were tested, and more than 80% had traces of Lead in their bloodstream. Children that are younger than 12 have been found to have lead in their blood, 84% of all soil in 24 households contained high levels of lead. More and more people that come in contact of battery stores or stores that sell technology are being poisoned by lead, and more and more people are getting very sick

Written Statement

The world is getting more and more polluted every day. We know that Oil spills, littering, CO2 emissions, etc, all make the world a dirtier place. But, what most people don’t know is that common household batteries can be very hazardous also. One of the most used sources of energy, Batteries are becoming more and more popular; that being said, more and more batteries are being used, but not properly disposed of, which is causing the environment mass pollution and can potentially harm our health. The common alkaline or carbon-zinc battery doesn’t really pollute much, except for the heavy metals used to make the battery that might vaporize and pollute the air. But, rechargeable batteries, like Nickel Cadmium or Nickel Metal Hydride can be very harmful. These batteries can be very toxic, and pollute water sources and other resources, etc. Nickel Cadmium batteries can leach, and when leaching starts, Cadmium, an extremely toxic chemical element, can make its way towards streams and other water sources. Nickel is semi-toxic and much less dangerous than Cadmium, but is nonetheless still dangerous. Lithium Ion batteries, another form of Rechargeable batteries, don’t leach, and also don’t have toxic materials, but are prone to exploding or igniting. Lead Acid batteries, the most harmful of all, can not only explode or catch on fire, but leach Lead into water sources, which can be extremely dangerous. Even a small amount of lead can cause brain and kidney damage. To prevent this from further polluting our world, we must put more laws and regulations on how to dispose batteries. In the U.K., there have been recent laws that require stores that sell batteries to set up battery recycle centers, whether it be an actual center, or just a bin. These efforts help, A LOT! In the U.S., many states have stated that it is ILLEGAL to throw away Lead-Acid batteries in normal trash, as it is too dangerous and harmful to people. We can also make people more aware of buying rechargeable batteries, and when not usable, to recycle them, as they can leach Cadmium or Nickel, both of which can be toxic. Every year, more and more people are recycling Lead-Acid batteries, and it’s one of the most successful recycle programs. It’s laws and regulations that help make people more aware. You can help now, by informing friends, relatives, and family about Batteries! You can also help by gathering all your batteries, taking them to the Town Council building, and recycle them! Help the World be a cleaner place!

Article Summaries

Title Tricks to keep your device’s battery going and going	Summary In this article, you learn how to extend your battery life. This can be very helpful, as some batteries will have less battery life as you charge it more and more. But, Lithium Ion Batteries, (present day rechargeable batteries), don’t overcharge and don’t suffer reduced battery life. This can really help save power in your devices, and also save energy in the world!
Author Eric A. Taub
Date Published March 10,2010
Source New York Times
Web Link http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/11/technology/11basics.html

Summary Table of Article Summaries

Title International Battery Recycling Congress	Summary This article talks about a international meeting that took place in 2003 to discuss issues about batteries. It shows that there are people/groups in the world that care about the environment, and are getting together, cooperating, and working towards good results. At this conference, they will decide what batteries can be used, laws of battery production, etc.
Author Editorial Staff
Date Published April 01,2003
Source Recycling Bizz
Web Link http://www.recyclingbizz.com/glass/LA770145.html?affilid=100001

Title Battery Recycling Law in force	Summary This article states that new laws on battery recycling in the U.K. have been set. 97% of all batteries are thrown away, and pollute great water sources in the U.K. Thousands of shops will have recycle centers, and any shop that sells more than a pack of batteries a day will need to have a recycle center. There have been many laws made, and this one is a follow up on 2006 EU batteries directive.
Author Martin Hickman
Date Published February 01, 2010
Source The Independent
Web Link http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/batteryrecycling-law-in-force-1885170.html

Title Cause of Battery Fire identified	Summary This article talks about why lithium batteries catch on fire or explode. Lithium batteries quickly overheat, and can cause dendrites to short circuit, and catch on fire. This article shows the dangers of batteries, and if not disposed of correctly, could potentially explode somewhere.
Author BBC
Date Published May 17, 2010
Source
Web Link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cambridgeshire/8687963.stm

Title Batteries: The power behind the phone	Summary This article talks about how the battery has evolved since the first one made. It gives a history on the battery, and talks about scientists’ first discovery of battery-like materials. It states that nowadays, scientists are working hard to get batteries to deliver the most power they can, so we can have double, or triple, or 10 times the amount we have now. Towards the end, it also gives tips on how to extend your device battery life, and how to make the most of it.
Author The Independent
Date Published January 10, 2010
Source The Independent
Web Link http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/batteries-the-power-behind-the-phone-1872933.html

Multimedia Resource List Part 2

Recharging Non Rechargeable Batteries

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcC8BuFj21Q

This video shows a gentleman attempting to recharge non-rechargeable alkaline batteries, and ends up succeeding. This is a great example of how people are trying to be more aware and helpful to the environment, even if it means they get a bit hurt or something. This is great, as it could happen to you when you try to recharge your alkaline batteries.

Battery Recharging

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brdmnUBAS00&feature=related

This video is absolutely GREAT. It's not about what the title shows, but actually recharging of normal household batteries. By using a C or D battery, the presenter recharges old double A batteries, and still maintains a great amount of energy in the C/D battery. It's great information, and really helps reduce the amount of batteries used!

Battery Recycling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgkK6vNBHOo

This video gives a great visual aspect on how car batteries are reused. It shows how the batteries are recycled at factories or warehouses, and how the end result looks like. It gives a great image on how batteries are recycled, and how much toxic waste could potentially come out of batteries if not disposed of correctly.

How Lead Batteries are Made

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7tOipB_-38&feature=related

As the title suggests, this video provides a more than basic knowledge on how lead batteries are made. It shows the materials used for making such battery, the process of making it, and the end product, which looks like a car battery in the end.

How Lithium Ion Batteries are Made

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJrNCjVS0gk&feature=related

This video shows the process on how Lithium Batteries are made. Like previous How to videos, it sums up the whole process of Lithium Ion battery making in great details. It shows what machines are used, what materials are used, and the end result.

Alkaline Battery Manufacturing Process

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8KWp8Ay6bM&feature=related

This video shows the composition of normal household batteries. It includes the process of how these batteries are made, and what materials are used, and how they're put together. It's a very small but detailed video.

Alkaline Battery Testing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRF5to-jIoc

While this video has no audio, it's still provides a great image on how much batteries are used when disposed. The testers have special equipment that estimate how much power is left (assumed, due to no audio), and place them in separate buckets. It gives great stats on how people use batteries.

How to Extract Manganese Dioxide from Batteries

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uUfdJ5DsjQ

This video suggests that the chemicals in batteries can be extracted. The tester explains in great detail how to open the battery up, and take out all the components in it. He states that the materials can be use to make explosives, which now not only makes battery harmful to the environment, but to living beings. A small child could potentially light up the battery by accident, or rioters could use these batteries and cause mayhem.

Multimedia Resource List

1)Battery Disposal Guide for Households

http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/batteries.php#Hazards

This website gives a great amount of information on how to dispose of batteries, good statistics on battery consumption and disposal, and has a lot of info. on the hazards.

2)Your Guide to types of Household batteries

http://michaelbluejay.com/batteries/

This website contains a great list of types of batteries, their composition, their functions, and many interesting details. It shows the good and bad batteries, and explains why certain batteries are good or bad.

3)Lithium Battery Safety Concerns:

http://www.triumvirate.com/ehs-compliance-blog/bid/29002/Lithium-Battery-Safety-Concerns-Interesting-Facts-from-U-S-House-Subcommittee-Hearing

This website gives some statistics on incidents relating to lithium batteries, the hazards of lithium batteries, and shows that laws have been made or modified to slow down battery consumption.

4)Batteries 101

http://www.energizer.com/learning-center/Pages/how-batteries-work.aspx

This is the website for Energizer, a HUGE battery company. It contains information on the composition of batteries, how batteries are made, and even info. on how certain appliances that use batteries work. It also includes battery history, info. on how to care for batteries, and a chart of all the batteries.

5)How Batteries Work

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/battery.htm

As the title implies, this website explains in detail how batteries work. It has a great video that goes along with it too. It gives some battery history, and talks about rechargeable batteries. It also talks about some reactions that batteries have.

6)Battery Facts and FAQ's

http://www.batterymart.com/c-battery-facts-faqs.html

Here is some very good information on batteries. It explains differences between normal Alkaline batteries to Lithium batteries, many FAQ's about batteries, information on the use of batteries in appliances, etc. It also explains how a battery works, and some ways to care and dispose of batteries.

7)Battery Wizard

http://www.rayovac.com/wizard/battery_howmade.htm

This here is the website to Rayovac, another BIG battery company. Like the Energizer website, this website also includes info. on the composition of batteries, how they're made, but it includes how a battery works. It also has a list of types of batteries, some info. on environmental effects, and some fun facts on batteries.

8) Battery Recycling

http://www.mpoweruk.com/recycling.htm

This website includes some statistics on battery disposal that focus mainly on the United Kingdom. It contains a small list of the types of batteries on the market, and some info. on how parts of the battery can be re-used if recycled properly. It also tells of some laws that were set in the U.K. concerning batteries.

9)Getting the most from your batteries

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo.htm

As the title suggests, this webpage includes info. on how to get all of the juice out of the battery. It also includes info. on battery runtime, how to restore batteries, and how to choose batteries for certain appliances.

10)Battery Recycling Centers

http://earth911.com/recycling/hazardous/single-use-batteries/

This website gives some reasons why we should recycle batteries, with reasons for certain types of batteries. It also contains a locator for recycle centers around the U.S., which is very helpful.

11)Environmental Impact of Batteries Used in Electric Cars

http://www.ehow.com/about_6507967_environmental-batteries-used-electric-cars.html

This article shows the effects car batteries have on the environment. It explains what types of batteries cars use, and how each of these batteries can effect our environment. It also explains how these batteries are usually disposed of, and some details on it.

12)Rechargeable Batteries

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/battery4.htm

This website is mainly focused on Rechargeable Batteries. It explains how these batteries work, and a bit of a history behind it. It talks about its composition, and is ideal for someone who is learning about rechargeable batteries.

13) Basic Construction of a Ni-MH battery

http://www.eneloop.info/home/technology.html

This article is mainly focused on the composition of Ni-MH batteries, or rechargeable batteries. It has the process of making such battery, how it works, some facts about new rechargeable batteries, and has some great pictures that enable a better understanding of rechargeable batteries.

14)Rechargeable Batteries

http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/batteriesrechg.php

This webpage, similar to the battery disposal guide, has some FAQ's about rechargeable batteries, how to dispose of them, how to use them, and reuse them, etc. It is a great information source for people who don't know much about rechargeable batteries yet.

Science behind the common Household Battery

Batteries are used in our everyday lives. Whether it be powering up a walkman, a remote controller, or even a hearing aid, people of all ages resort to batteries as a power source. As more and more batteries are being used, more and more are being manufactured, and more and more are being disposed of in the wrong way. Why does it matter how we dispose of batteries? Well, I will inform you right now.

First off, I would like to start off with the common Household Alkaline battery’s composition. First, manufacturers, place a steel can to contain the cell’s ingredients and chemicals, to then be able to place the cathode, which are the electrodes reduced by the electromagnetic reaction. Electrodes are the location where electrochemical reactions take place. Once the steel can is placed, a Manganese dioxide mixture and carbon plus conductors carrying a natural positive charge are molded into the circular walls of the compartment. After the mixture is placed, a small layer of fibrous fabric is placed on top of the mixture, in a circular motion, to separate the electrodes. Then, the anode, or the electrode which is oxidized, is placed inside with powdered zinc metal in both sides of the anode, along with potassium hydroxide electrolytes in water, which facilitates movement of ions in cell. Finally, a brass pin is placed in the exact middle of the cell to conduct electricity to the outside circuit. What, you may ask, is so harmful about these batteries? Well, a lot of batteries are made in the same process, but with different materials. For instance, there are many types of batteries which use Mercury, a highly dangerous contaminant that is not only harmful to the environment but harmful to us. Mercury and other hazardous compounds like zinc, lead, nickel, manganese all leach from the batteries, and pollute our solid waste stream, which could potentially harm the ocean, which most of waste goes to. These hazardous materials could also pollute lakes and streams, as metals vaporize into the air. Batteries that leach can expose our environment and potable water sources to a lot of hazardous compounds like lead, or even acid. It’s been learned that 88 percent of total mercury and 50 percent of total cadmium found in the waste system and other places were all caused by leaching dry-cell batteries.

Our environment and world is being polluted every day, and batteries are very big contributors. If we want to help our environment, we should be more cautious of how we dispose of batteries, and what kinds we buy. We should find other energy sources and cut down battery usage as much as we can, or eventually the world will not be able to support the pollution coming from batteries.