Just as our bodies require an electrical current to function, so do the cell phones, remote controls, cordless power tools, and incredibly various electronic devices that have swarmed into our lives today. They’re all charged by batteries whose increasing presence within trash bins has been associated with numerous wildlife disruptions by way of their heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium, and/or nickel) within.  Although rechargeable batteries allow for less battery usage overall, they’re still comprised of nickel-cadmium and pose a serious danger when not properly recycled.  Additionally, valuable metals within the battery structure that could be re-used are instead put to waste.

Fortunately, there are an increasing number of battery-recycling operations revving up across the nation that help to provide safe and useful resting places for the many dead battery bodies.  A battery-recycling program called The Big Green Box has been joining many stores (such as IKEA, Walgreens and Whole Foods) to provide drop-off stations for batteries and portable electronic devices. If these stores aren’t nearby, then one can easily navigate to a recycling center using the Battery Recycling and Disposal Guide provided by Environment, Health and Safety Online (EHSO). In the meanwhile, seek out ways to charge your life with things besides batteries, minimize the volume of batteries coursing through your life, and check out Earth 911 for tips on extending battery life overall.