A Greener Business Is A Better Business Learn about the Environmental and Cost Benefits of Recycling Batteries
Batteries play a significant role in our everyday lives.
The Often Overlooked Battery Batteries are an invaluable resource of energy and utility. We often take for granted their convenience, functionality, and in many cases, life-saving applications, including equipment used by hospitals, first responders, police and fire departments, and emergency vehicles. Unfortunately, if not properly recycled, batteries can cause harm to the environment by contaminating soils and water. On the next few pages, learn what you need to know about battery recycling.
Know The Facts Of the 70 million pounds of batteries sold each year across North America, a mere 10 to 12 percent are recycled, according to Call2Recycle, a nonprofit public service organization. That means up to 90 percent of all batteries in North America end up in our landfills each year, potentially leaking into the ground. Many parts in alkaline, carbon zinc, mercuricoxide, silver-oxide, zinc-air, and lithium batteries are easily recyclable to make other useful products, including rebar and electronics.
Common Types of Recyclable Batteries Alkaline and Carbon Zinc
• • • • • •
AAA AA C-cell D-cell 9-volt Button cells
Lithium
• • • • •
AAA AA 9-volt Small-cylinder Button cells
Nickel-Cadmium
• • • • • •
AAA AA C-cell D-cell Small-cylinder Poly-wrapped cell packs
What Happens To Recycled Batteries? The zinc, manganese concentrate, steel, plastic, and paper in alkaline, zinc carbon, and zinc-air batteries are all recycled into fresh, new batteries. 25
30
Zn
Mn
Zinc
Manganese 54.938
65.39
The #1 Reason Why Every Business Should Recycle Their Batteries Is… It keeps the cost down now, but more importantly, in the long run. Besides being environmentally sound, recycling your batteries allows for them to be made into new batteries. Raw materials are often more expensive than their recycled counterparts.
Plus, some of the key materials in batteries are from nonrenewable resources – we need to conserve what we have because once we use it up, it’s gone for good.
3 Steps To Ensure Batteries Are Recycled 1. Have a single designated place
employees drop off old batteries to be recycled, such as the supply room.
2. Implement an exchange program – new
batteries are handed out when old batteries are handed in.
3. Contact a battery recycling program to see if they provide free, specially labeled collection containers, or better yet, offer a service to pick up old batteries.
Why Buy Batteries In Bulk? 3
Here are green reasons your business should buy wholesale industrial batteries:
1. One large shipment significantly reduces your carbon footprint over receiving several small shipments throughout the year.
2. It’s easier to keep track of your
battery inventory when you purchase them in bulk – this will make it easier to recycle as well.
3. A company’s green efforts are great marketing tools – buy in bulk, recycle, and let your customers know you’re doing your part for the environment.
Telecom Electric Supply Company (TES) is your trusted online source for industrial, rechargeable, and lithium batteries at exceptional prices. Buy in bulk and save!
Please visit www.tes.com for more information.
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