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Batteries are used to power lots of items, from children's
toys to mobile phones and
cars. They can contain harmful substances e.g. lead, mercury,
and cadmium. These can cause serious pollution and health problems.
From February 2010 battery recycling points will
be widely available. Find out where you can take batteries to be recycled
by typing your postcode into the
bank locator
The types of batteries that can be taken to these
recycling points are as follows:
| type
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uses
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general
e.g. zinc carbon / zinc chloride / alkaline manganese
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Low drainage appliances like torches,
clocks, shavers, radios, personal stereos and radio-cassette
players. These batteries make up the majority of the battery
market
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rechargeable
e.g. nickel cadmium / nickel metal hydride / lithium ion
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Cordless power tools, personal
stereos, portable telephones, laptop computers, shavers, motorised
toys etc, with a life of 4-5 years. Nickel hydride and lithium
are more environmentally friendly than nickel cadmium, with
a longer life
|
primary
button cells
e.g. mercuric oxide / zinc air / silver oxide / lithium
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Hearing aids, pacemakers, photographic
equipment, radio pagers, electronic watches and calculators
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Automotive batteries can also be
recycled. However, retailers will not accept these. Automotive batteries
can be taken to your local
Household Waste Recycling Centre. Furthermore, automotive battery
manufacturers will collect these free of charge.
automotive batteries
e.g. lead-acid
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Automotive batteries are used
in vehicles, such as cars, vans, lorries, buses, boats and other
types of transport for starters, lighting and ignition (not
for motive power)
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Use the following links to find:
battery recycling symbols and the law
battery facts
useful links
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