A+-+depleted+batteries

**// What methods should be used to dispose of depleted batteries? //**
 * __Q and A Wednesdays – Neil Kikuta September 29, 2010__**
 * In 2005, according to the Households and the Environment Survey, 60% of households put dead batteries into the trash, just over a quarter are dropped off appropriately, and the remaining % represent the people who left their dead batteries at home


 * Batteries convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy


 * Batteries consist of 3 parts : the anode (-), cathode (+), and the electrolyte


 * The electrolyte is a solution in every battery which prevents the electrons from travelling directly from the anode to cathode within the battery


 * Electrolytes also allow ions to freely move within itself – where anions go toward the anode, and cations go toward the cathode


 * Within every battery, the electrolyte varies – could be potassium hydroxide, ammonium chloride, zinc chloride, etc and depends on what kind of battery it is, such as alkaline batteries, lithium batteries or others


 * When disposing of depleted batteries, do not throw them away in the garbage can as they will end up in landfills – batteries are filled with chemicals that may leak into the soil and poison our water supplies, and the air we breathe


 * The metals are also harmful as some batteries contain mercury, lead, and nickel


 * Instead, remove dead batteries and put them into a Ziploc bag as they may leak


 * Go to [|www.earth911.com], type in what you want to recycle as well as your address and let the site find the closest recycling centre near you


 * Dispose of the depleted batteries, and let the recycling centres take care of them


 * Once at recycling centres, the first step is to separate the combustible material from the metals found in every battery


 * Once the metals are separated, they can be sent back to the battery manufacturers


 * The plastic that is removed is sent off to be recycled like normal

** Going Green **


 * Always dispose of batteries appropriately


 * Change to rechargeable batteries – NEVER attempt to recharge non-rechargeable batteries

**Bibliography:** Everett, B. (n.d.). What Is the Process for Recycling Batteries? | eHow.com. //eHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles//. Retrieved September 27, 2010, from []

Math, I. (2010). Batteries. //The New Book of Knowledge®//. Retrieved September 27, 2010, from Grolier Online []

Karasov, C. G. (2010). Waste Disposal. //New Book of Popular Science//. Retrieved September 27, 2010, from Grolier Online []

Marshall, J. (n.d.). EnviroStats: Disposal of household special wastes. //Statistics Canada: Canada's national statistical agency / Statistique Canada : Organisme statistique national du Canada//. Retrieved September 27, 2010, from []

The Battery Recycling Process from Batteries Plus. (n.d.). //Batteries Plus battery store - All your battery needs for Laptop, camera, cell phone, camcorder, SLA, batteries recycling and much more//. Retrieved September 27, 2010, from []

Waste Disposal. (2010). //Encyclopedia Americana//. Retrieved September 27, 2010, from Grolier Online []