Making Gadgets Greener
by Union of Concerned Scientists on 12.25.06
Electronic gadgets continue to grow in popularity and many people will give them as holiday gifts this season. Devices that plug in to wall outlets are responsible for a small but growing portion of total household energy consumption, about five to seven percent. Devices powered by batteries also pose environmental problems. More than three billion alkaline batteries are thrown away in the U.S. each year instead of being recycled. The toxic metals they contain (such as lead, mercury, and cadmium) can leak into groundwater and harm local residents or wildlife.
To make your gadgets greener, you can employ a number of strategies:
-Use rechargeable batteries.
-Look for Energy Star labeled power adapters and battery chargers.
-Use solar-powered chargers.
-Use mechanically powered chargers that receive power from turning a crank or shaking.
For information on electronics and battery recycling, visit Earth 911.
I was told by a battery store when I tried to give them a box of used Alkaline batteries for recycling that all the toxic metals had been eliminated so they were safe to throw away.
If not then where can I dispose of them?
Check out Earth911.org for where you can recycle your batteries.
BTW - if they were manufactured in the US or by US companies, they are most likely free of anything toxic and are quote - safe unquote to dispose of in the trash. Safe is in quotes because opinions differ on what should be considered safe, but the thinking seems to be that they really aren't harmful in low concentrations.
As far as getting the batteries recycled, they are mostly made of stainless steel - material worth saving!
I've seen earth911 and everything listed for my location does not take alkalines just other types.