why recycle batteries?

Did you know that each year in the UK we throw away around 600 million batteries? Laid end to end these batteries would reach from the UK to Australia and back again. That is a lot of batteries!!

Furthermore, according to Directgov, over 12,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions could be avoided if the country can meet its target of recycling at least 45 per cent of batteries by 2016.

Batteries can be found in every room in the house. They're used in toys, remote controls, mobile phones, alarm clocks and even doorbells. In fact, every person in Britain uses about 10 batteries a year!

Most batteries are put into rubbish bins and then taken to landfill sites. There are lots of types of batteries, which can contain dangerous chemicals (including lead, cadmium, zinc, lithium and even mercury).

When batteries begin to rot away in landfill sites these chemicals may leak into the ground which can cause soil and water pollution. This can be harmful to animals, humans and the environment.

Recycling is a great way to help protect the environment. Each battery placed in the recycling bin will be taken apart and the materials will be used to make something new.

Use the following links to find:

which batteries can I recycle?

battery recycling symbols and the law

battery facts

useful links