The document discusses the importance of recycling batteries, which contain valuable metals like zinc, steel, and manganese. Over 5 billion batteries are sold in the US each year and contain these recyclable metals. It is important to recycle batteries to reduce mining for resources, prevent heavy metals from leaching into the environment from landfills, and because it is illegal in many states to dispose of certain types of batteries like car batteries in the trash. The document provides information on common battery types like alkaline batteries and encourages contacting a company for battery recycling programs.

1. BATTERY
BASICSEvery year, over 5 billion batteries are sold in the
United States, all containing metals that can be
recycled and used for other purposes.
BATTERIES CONTAIN METALS SUCH AS:
ZINC STEEL MANGANESE
These metals can be recycled for
use in other applications.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF BATTERIES TO RECYCLE:
ALKALINE
A fire hazard if not
disposed of properly
BUTTON
Contain valuable metals
to recycle
LITHIUM
Potential fire hazard in
landfills
LEAD-ACID CAR
BATTERIES
Among the most hazardous
batteries
!
A car battery contains 18 pounds of
lead and one pound of sulfuric acid.
IMPORTANCE OF RECYCLING BATTERIES:
• Recycling batteries can
reduce the mining of important
resources like zinc, steel and
manganese.
• Heavy metals in landfills can
potentially leach slowly into soil,
groundwater or surface water.
• Dry cell batteries contribute
about 88% of the total mercury
and 50% of the cadmium in the
municipal solid waste stream.
It’s actually illegal in many states to trash
certain types of batteries, like car batteries.
NEARLY 3 BILLION
dry-cell batteries every year to power radios, toys,
cellular phones, watches, laptop computers, and
portable power tools.
NEARLY 99 MILLION
wet-cell lead-acid car batteries
are manufactured each year.
TO LEARN ABOUT BATTERY RECYCLING PROGRAMS
FOR YOUR FACILITY, CONTACT HP PRODUCTS TODAY!
SOURCES:
http://recyclebattery.org/
http://www.ecycleenvironmental.com/recycling-blog/cadmium-lead-and-acid-oh-my-why-you-should-care-about-battery-recycling
http://www.call2recycle.org/recycling-law-map/
http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/battery.htm
http://environment.about.com/od/recycling/a/batteryrecycle.htm
http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/batteries.php