Power-Up Green Initiatives With Battery Recycling

This article talks about the advantages of recycling the batteries that power the cordless phones, remote controls, flashlights, gaming systems, mobile phones, etc.

(MS) -- Batteries have become the lifeblood of modern-day society. These miniature powerhouses are the key to providing portable, convenient power for the myriad of electronic items we rely on daily. But batteries can come at a cost to the environment. If not properly disposed of or recycled they can prove dangerous -- leaching heavy metals and contaminants into the soil and groundwater, resulting in a number of negative side effects for both the environment and individual health, possibly including autism.

Batteries Power the World

Cordless phones, remote controls, flashlights, gaming systems, mobile phones, children's toys -- the list of items powered by alkaline or rechargeable batteries continues to grow. Batteries are even working in ways the average person may not witness. During a power outage, phone lines still operate because they are equipped with batteries. Batteries also help control power fluctuations, run commuter trains and provide back-up power for critical needs like hospitals and military operations.

Easy to Trash, But We Shouldn't

Batteries provide many advantages and everyday conveniences. However, it's the way they are disposed of that poses problems. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), each year more than three billion batteries are thrown away by American households. In a typical year, disposed AA batteries alone, placed end to end, would circle the earth six times.

"Since 2007 the state of California has banned the dumping of alkaline batteries in landfills with other municipalities soon to follow," says Steve Stark, general manager of the Green Electronics Division of Perf Go Green Holdings, Inc. "Our goal is to make a difference by leading the fight in reducing battery-dumping in our landfills."

Batteries, while generally inexpensive and easy to buy, can be inconvenient and expensive to dispose of properly. Consumers may spend as much as $50 for a pail to recycle dead alkaline batteries. Generally people want to recycle batteries in the right way, they just don't want to pay to do it. According to a 2005 survey of telephone respondents in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, nine out of 10 people (92%) said they would be encouraged to recycle their batteries if they were collected from their home.

When spent batteries are dumped into landfills they can have extremely negative effects on the planet, as well as the life that it supports. Rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, cobalt, mercury, and lead, which can leach out of landfills into the air, ground, and water. Single-use alkaline batteries, deemed safer for disposal, still may contain trace amounts of mercury. They also are composed of corrosive acids that can eat through many materials, and if burned can explode and release toxic fumes into the air.

Cadmium can cause lung damage, kidney disease, and death, while lead can damage the kidneys, nervous system, and reproductive system, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Some doctors and autism experts say that environmental mercury in water and soil may be one contributor to the rise in autism cases in recent years.

Recycling is the Answer

Recycling or discarding of batteries in the proper manner, meaning using a reputable company that guarantees safe recycling methods, is the only way to ensure harmful batteries do not end up in landfills. However, because up until now there have been no widespread recycling programs, currently only 2 percent of batteries are recycled.

PerfPower(TM) from Perf Go Green is changing the way consumers use and dispose of batteries. These alkaline batteries are made from recycled materials, and are 100 percent, lead-, mercury- and cadmium-free. The battery life is also equal to other popular name-brand batteries on the market.

The company is also making it a snap to recycle the batteries once they are spent. With the PerfPower(TM) recycling kit, individuals have a hassle-free and environmentally sound solution to properly handle their dead batteries. They simply buy the PerfPower(TM) batteries with a special redemption code; visit www.irecycled.com to register to receive a postage-paid recycling package (valued at $16.95); then place all spent PerfPower(TM) batteries and packaging into return unit and send it back to the company. If a person can mail a letter, he or she can recycle batteries at absolutely no cost.

To reduce the health implications and environmental effects of batteries, recycling is necessary. For more information on recycling initiatives, visit www.irecycled.com. For other green products, visit www.perfgogreen.com.

Tags:

del.icio.us tags: battery recycle alkaline batteries battery battery recycling
icerocket tags: battery recycle alkaline batteries battery battery recycling

battery recycle alkaline batteries battery battery recycling

Share on: facebook

Practice Mobile Phone Etiquette

A 2004 MIT survey found that cell phones are the one invention of modern day that people hate the most but can't live without. Which could be why there are an estimated two to three hundred million mobile phones in use worldwide.

Cell phones have made life easier and more convenient for so many people, and calling plans continue to evolve and become more affordable. Many homes do not have a landline at all --individuals make all of their calls from a wireless phone. People report feeling proverbially naked without their phones, and wouldn't leave home without them.

As technology continues to evolve, more and more people are relying upon their phones to make calls, text friends and family, take photographs, capture video, browse the Internet, and so much more. Which means cell phones have become an all-consuming presence.

As cell phone use reaches staggering statistics, social etiquette regarding the right places and times for using a phone have become ever more blurred. Many people see them as a nuisance or an imposition at certain times, but fail to practice social etiquette during their own phone use.
Several studies by popular phone service providers have indicated that individuals do not feel shy about interrupting face-to-face conversations to answer a ringing cell phone, or talking on the phone while in the bathroom. While common sense might indicate that it's courteous to turn the ringer off on a phone during a religious service, movie, or other group event, who hasn't been at a show or service where at least one phone goes off? Many venues -- including houses of worship -- now have a standard announcement asking phones to be turned off prior to commencement.

Others do not balk about airing their private information in front of others. Overheard conversations on city streets and in public places yield more personal details than some may enjoy hearing.

"Every day for years I rode the bus to and from work," says Jean from New Jersey. "You see the same people during commute hours, and there would always be one woman who had to immediately call her spouse upon entering the bus, report that she was 'on the bus,' and then discuss what would be cooked for dinner. She spoke so loudly and I found it very annoying. Finally fed up, one day I asked her how her roast beef was -- having overheard the menu item from the previous evening's ride. Embarrassed, she cut down on the phone calls from then on and spoke in a lower voice."

Etiquette experts say there is a time and a place for cell phone use, and users should be mindful of their surroundings before flipping open their phones to make or take a call. Consider these suggestions.

* Turn off the ringer and let calls go to voicemail during a business meeting or another important event, such as a doctor's appointment.

* Never discuss private or confidential information in a public place. You never know who may be listening.

* Don't take a call if you are feeling angry or overly emotional. You don't want to embarrass yourself or others by yelling, crying or becoming irritated during your conversation.

* Billy Idol had his "Rebel Yell," but mobile phone users seem to fall victim to "Cell Yell," talking much louder than is necessary on their phones. This can be very distracting to others, particularly in a confined space, such as a bus, car or train. If you are having trouble hearing the person on the other end of the conversation, or he or she is having trouble hearing you, call back at a more convenient time.

* Silent or vibration settings on cell phones were put there for a reason -- so you don't disrupt others when phones should be silent. This includes places such as business meetings, religious services, schools, restaurants, theaters, or sporting events.

* Don't let a call take precedence over safety. Avoid making calls while driving. Even hands-free phones can be distracting if you get engrossed in a conversation.

* Rely on text messaging to send a message discreetly. Just be sure to turn down your alert volume. Incoming text messages at two-second intervals can become annoying as well. And be courteous with text messaging. Not everyone has unlimited messaging plans, so they may be charged for the spam or funny jokes you forward on to everyone in your address book.

* If you are expecting a call that you don't want to miss, alert those around you that you're expecting a call and excuse yourself from the room to take it. Always put the people you're currently with as the priority.

* When in doubt, turn on vibrate mode and skip the call. Emergencies are few and far between, and you can always call a person back later.

CAPTION: Be courteous about where you make your cell phone calls.

Keywords:
mobile phone cell phone Etiquette

Share on: facebook