Used batteries – What’s next?

Lead - is a poisonous and practically indestructible element. Lead compounds have a negative impact on the health of living organisms, on the development of plants and processes occurring in the aquatic environment. In humans, lead damages virtually all cells and organs. It is particularly dangerous for children and adolescents. Cadmium - is an extremely toxic element. Regardless of the way of absorption, the main place of storage of metal are the liver and kidneys, as well as the pancreas, intestines and glands, and the lungs. Causes anemia and bone diseases. Mercury - a highly toxic compound. The body gets into the body through the digestive tract as well as through the respiratory tract. The strongest harmful effect of mercury is in the central nervous system.

90% of batteries used in Poland are disposable batteries, most often zinc-manganese batteries. Alkaline batteries are still used in Poland relatively rarely compared to other European countries. Regardless of the fact that batteries used in Poland, depending on their type, contain a different amount of substances harmful to the environment, collect all used batteries and transfer them to separate collection points, because regardless of their chemical composition, their impact on our lives and health is not indifferent. The recovery of batteries and their appropriate processing is possible only after separating them from the stream of residual municipal waste.

Many batteries that are environmentally hazardous end their lives in the garbage bin, because only some of us segregate waste in their households. This fact often results from ignorance about proper handling of various municipal waste as well as lack of awareness about the harmfulness of batteries for the natural environment. By treating all batteries and accumulators as hazardous waste, we will protect ourselves and the natural environment from their harmful effects.

If you decide to collect used batteries and return them to one of the separate collection points designated in your commune, you care about the natural environment for yourself and for future generations. All you need is:

• Separate all batteries from other waste,
• Remember about batteries hidden in different objects,
• Regularly carry used batteries to collection points for used batteries,
• Small size batteries and accumulators do not have to be taken to collection points immediately after they have been used up. They can be collected selectively at home, in a bag or in a cardboard box. It is important that the batteries do not end up in the waste bin together with other waste,
• Regularly collect the batteries and accumulators collected by you to the designated collection points in your city or municipality.