How to avoid heavy metal consumption and save on batteries

Picking the right electronics and accessories can save you money on batteries and aid in minimizing the amount of lead and mercury that can make its way back into your food or drinking water.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• patience
• consistency
• time

1. Be aware of the three main types of batteries used in modern electronics.
   
   Alkaline batteries are among the most common and the shortest lived, their contents are generally less toxic than the others although they are still hazardous enough to cause injury to exposed skin.
   
   Silver oxide batteries are often found in the form of button cells used in small low drain devices like watches. Silver oxide batteries often contain mercury and their contents are very toxic.
   
   Lithium batteries are found in rechargeable and single use forms and have some of the longest life spans. Lithium batteries very greatly in composition depending on their uses and are found in anything from keychains to hybrid cars.

2. Be mindful of the electronics you own when replacing their batteries. A device like a digital camera or television remote that takes AA sized batteries and enjoys an already slow drain will enjoy a much greater battery life when fed with lithium batteries than with standard alkaline batteries, while an older incandescent bulb flashlight would not get the same benefit and would be better off with the standard alkaline batteries.

3. Avoid impulse electronic purchases. The LED keychain light may seem like a steal for a dollar, but will the use you find from it make up for the impact it will have on you budget and the environment paired with similar impulse purchases?

4. When making major electronic purchases with rechargeable batteries look for lithium polymer batteries. Lithium polymer batteries enjoy a longer lifespan than older technology lithium ion batteries in terms of recharge and discharge cycles along with being more resistant to destabilizing physical damage.

5. When looking for a new watch consider an automatic winding or other mechanical watch. An automatic watch is powered by your own movement, contains no electronic elements, and often will enjoy a longer lifespan than a similar battery powered watch. Purely mechanical watches are making a resurgence in popularity and affordable offerings for men may be had by manufacturers like Seiko, Invicta, and Fossil. Women may have to dig a little harder, but older vintage models may still be found.

6. Keep track of your used batteries and inquire with local recyclers or your local government for ways to properly dispose of them as hazardous waste. Many municipalities sponsor events or programs where materials not suitable for general trash may be safely disposed.

Tips & Warnings

• Be persistent in locating information of proper battery disposal in your area, you may want to consult your state environmental protection agency if local agencies are short on information
• Make your friends and family aware of how to properly dispose of batteries
• Advice on avoiding impulse electronics purchases may be carried to other frequent impulse purchases
• Keep batteries away from young children who may attempt to eat them
• Battery chemicals are toxic. At a minimum burns are possible from exposure, mercury containing batteries and silver oxide batteries do contain cancer causing chemicals.
• Avoid opening sealed electronic devices to examine or change their batteries. Botched attempts to open devices may puncture the battery or older neglected batteries may develop leaks on their own.
• It is difficult to judge the age of batteries that come with devices, even newly purchased devices, and it can be dangerous to assume the battery must be of recent manufacturer if you intend to open the device.

[louisagholson]

on 6/2/2008 Thanks for your article. I added your article to my environment blog. You give practicle advice for recycling batteries: think before you buy. Why buy a battery-powered watch if you can purchase one that is self-winding? Why buy a watch in the first place? The time is blasted everywhere we go. Why do we need to wear it? Personally I feel remotes created unnecessary battery consumption in addition to spreading backsides. When I read your article, I couldn't help envisioning the scene in the Matrix where humans were harvested as batteries...consumed and thrown away. Makes you wonder who the machines were modeling?

[amandaford]

on 5/27/2008 Good ideas. Thank you!

[AbbyNormal]

on 3/7/2008 This article is very informative. Thanks!