by Beth Gray
There are very few gadgets and items that most of us use every day that do not require batteries to operate. Our gadgets, however, quickly drain the batteries we put in them and we must continuously replace the old batteries with new ones. For parents of young children the constant battle to keep up with batteries so that favorite toys stay operational can be exhausting. Considering the volume of batteries that we consume each year (3 billion a year in the United States according to one estimate), it is imperative that we dispose of our old batteries appropriately.Â
Batteries contain many toxic materials including cadmium, lead, and mercury (among others). Batteries that are discarded with regular trash can end up in landfills where the toxic materials can contaminate groundwater and create otherwise hazardous conditions for those who may come into contact with them. Many municipalities now have programs for recycling batteries once they have served their purpose for the consumer. Each type of battery is recycled in a slightly different way but the general process is largely the same: the toxic materials are “neutralized†and the batteries are ground into a powder which can be incorporated into scrap metal and reused.Â
In January, American Public University System (APUS) introduced battery recycling to its staff using The Big Green Box program. The Big Green Box is a national program and can be a convenient and cost effective way for individual consumers, businesses, and municipalities to ensure that their used batteries are recycled appropriately. There is a nominal fee associated with purchasing a Big Green Box but the fee includes the costs associated with the actual recycling process and the box comes with a pre-paid shipping label. The Box itself is a United Nations rated corrugated container making the process even more environmentally friendly.Â
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