Batteries make using many electrical appliances easier, but once they exhaust, they are likely to end up in garbage dumps if we throw them with the rest of the waste, which will result in the contamination of underground water, the soil, and food chains – which eventually affect human beings- , or in incineration plants - whose fumes produce volatile toxic substances which contaminate the air.
Where should batteries be thrown?
They should be taken to recycling plants where dangerous metals can be properly separated from the rest of the components. Unfortunately, there are very few plants of this type in the world, because the process of recycling is very expensive. Argentina
I recommend buying products which do not need batteries. Only buy rechargeable batteries, and preferably those made of Ni-MH (Niquel-Hidrato de Metal) or silver oxide and Zinc-Air, whose components have a low toxicity level. Avoid buying/using those with a high content of mercury and cadmium.
As consumers, we must favour practices that do not contaminate. Remember: everything we throw to the soil comes back in one way or another.
