| Without batteries, life in the 21st century would | | | | severe mental and physical impairment in humans, and |
| come to a screeching halt. At times it seems like the | | | | even to madness. |
| rotation of the Earth itself battery powered. But | | | | The disposal of batteries into landfills is taking space |
| batteries generate power with the aid of toxic heavy | | | | that could be used for biodegradable products. |
| metals like mercury and lead. And hundred of millions, | | | | Landfills were not meant to be dumping grounds for |
| if not billions, of batteries adding heavy metals to the | | | | all the toxic refuse from which we want to separate |
| soil and groundwater every year do not a healthy | | | | themselves; and if they cannot degrade in an |
| future make. | | | | environmentally safe manner, they will add to the |
| The disposal of batteries is akin to the disposal of | | | | pollution problem, not help solve it. |
| any non-biodegradable commodities, like disposable | | | | The Current Situation |
| diapers, Styrofoam, and PCP loaded insecticides. | | | | The irresponsible disposal of batteries in the past, |
| Humankind has decided we can't live without them, | | | | however, had finally led to some changes in the |
| but much to our chagrin, we have finally earned that | | | | battery industry. Thanks to the ongoing efforts from |
| we can't live with them for every much longer | | | | economic and environmental experts, and some |
| without paying some very serious environmental | | | | enlightened minds within the battery industry, |
| consequences. | | | | rechargeable batteries have been introduced to the |
| A market driven economy is dependent on continuing | | | | market and are slowly increasing their market share. |
| demand if it is to survive, and disposable items are | | | | Battery manufacturers, however, are not about to |
| essential to continuing demand. If everyone who | | | | abandon traditional batteries, which are a much higher |
| ever bought a battery for each of his or her | | | | profit item than the rechargeable ones. As recently |
| appliances never needed to buy another, battery | | | | as 2005, when US consumers spent more that |
| makers would either have to keep inventing new | | | | $40,000,000,000 on traditional batteries, and the |
| essential appliances, or hope that every person on | | | | disposal of those batteries will have to be done |
| Earth reproduces tenfold. An expectation of | | | | properly. The battery industry, like every other, |
| obsolescence is built in to our approach to our | | | | exists to make money, and as much money as |
| possessions. Those which do not wear out we simply | | | | possible. If there is to be a solution to the disposal of |
| replace after a while to enjoy the novelty of their | | | | batteries, it will not come by manufacturers phasing |
| replacements. | | | | out their high profit throw way battery lines. |
| Environmental Effects | | | | It will have to come from educated, environmentally |
| The disposal of batteries which have been exhausted | | | | concerned consumers deciding to pay the extra |
| is a prime example of this throw-away mentality. | | | | money to buy rechargeable batteries and chargers, |
| Enough improper disposal of batteries over the past | | | | or solar powered electronic devices, or at the very |
| century has occurred that their toxic mercury is now | | | | lest, extended life disposable batteries. With a |
| in the food chain, affecting marine life to an | | | | concerted effort, they can move enough money the |
| unprecedented extent. Many of the fish upon which | | | | traditional battery to the alternative battery market, |
| poorer nations have depended for their survival are | | | | and the environment will be the winner. |
| no longer safe to eat. Mercury poisoning can lead to | | | | |