Earth Outfit

Where Do Dead Batteries Go?

Gavin — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:29:15 +0000

Do you ever wonder what happen to all the dead batteries that we toss out? I think most of us know enough not to throw them in fire (they explode!), but I am also sure that many people simply throw them out with the trash. I don’t know how many batteries are used each year, but I am willing to bet that it’s a huge number. So let’s find out what happen if we trash our batteries.

Photo by Moria via Flickr

What happen when you throw batteries out with your trash?

I found a good answer on Answerbag.com and it said:

If a battery is discarded in the normal household trash stream, it goes straight into landfill and, eventually, into the soil and water table. Trash companies do not, as a rule, open and inspect the trash they pick up at the curb. Sorting the trash is the responsibility of the household.

It is up to the consumer to properly dispose of batteries as hazardous waste. Many cities provide drop-off points for household hazardous waste materials. In my community, the city runs hazardous waste disposal centers on a couple of weekends every year. We save all of our depleted batteries until the next household hazardous waste collection and dispose of them along with any other hazardous materials we no longer use (e.g., paints, chemicals).

Industries usually deal with companies that specialize in hazardous waste disposal or battery recycling. The lead in lead-acid batteries, for example, is valuable on a commercial scale. Most companies that sell lead-acid batteries will take them back for a nominal fee or for free, usually when you purchase a new battery from them. The batteries go to commercial recyclers.

What should you do with dead batteries?

Batteries recycling.
- Earth911 will provide you with locations that will take your used batteries, used rechargeable batteries, and used electronics.
- Rechargeable Batteries Recycling Corporation will provide you with recycling locations for rechargeable batteries.
Car batteries disposal. Your car service center or auto part store should accept your old battery.
Rechargeable batteries kit. Rechargeable batteries kit is a great way to save both money and the environment. If you throw out more than a dozen batteries per year, you should consider buying a set. Take a look at these kits from eBay.

Rechargeable Batteries Kit

USB Battery Charger for AA/AAA Rechargeable Battery J15

US $7.95
End Date: Friday Dec-12-2008 15:31:19 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $7.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list

Charger + AA AAA Ni-MH Rechargeable Recharge Battery S

US $8.54
End Date: Friday Dec-12-2008 15:41:16 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $8.54
Buy it now | Add to watch list

Brand New AA/AAA Rechargeable Battery USB Charger J15

US $7.95
End Date: Friday Dec-12-2008 15:45:14 PST
Buy It Now for only: US $7.95
Buy it now | Add to watch list

More rechargeable batteries and charger kits…

References:

Battery Recycling Information at Grinning Planet

Be Environmentally Mindful

Gavin — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:06:41 +0000

What is being environmentally mindful? It simply an intentional act of thinking about your actions impact on the environment. This is the same as tracking you money to improve your finances, or watching what you eat to reduce weight and stay healthy. You pay attention to what you do and the consequences that follow. You act with a clear understanding and knowing the compromises.

Photo by Spodzone via Flickr

Why is it important to be environmentally mindful?

Unlike your finances or diet, it’s even more critical to be environmentally mindful because you don’t notice the consequences of you actions immediately. And the only way to know your impact is to learn about the consequences of your action. For example, do you know the environmental impact of…

Driving fuel inefficient car?
Tossing used batteries in the garbage?
Not recycling properly?
Using various household cleaning products?

The first step in saving the Earth is to be environmentally mindful.

GPS Are Environmentally Friendly

Gavin — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:06:33 +0000

Personally, I drive quite a bit. And when it’s time to buy a new car, it will definitely be a green vehicle. For now, I have to settle for the next best thing and drive around with a GPS navigation system. I bought my Garmin Nuvi portable GPS navigator about a year ago and I have to say that it’s the best gadget I have bought years.

What’s so green about a portable GPS system?

Driving the most efficient route. Before the GPS, I used to drive the routes that I am familiar with. Ever since owning the GPS, I learned several new routes and some of them are more efficient that the ones I normally take.
No more driving around lost. My sense of direction is not the greatest in the world and I am prone to getting lost when I am in unfamiliar areas. The worst incident was getting lost in New Jersey route 1 trying to find a way into Staten Island so that I can return to Queens. I got lost, drove around in loop, and waste nearly 2 hours!
Avoid sitting idle in traffic. Since my navigation system does a decent job of re-routing on the fly, I can avoid traffic and take alternative route. This feature alone had saved me quite a few hours on the road.

If you don’t have a GPS yet, now is especially a good time to buy one; especially with the gas price going through the roof. Here are a few that are on sales at eBay:

GARMIN NUVI 205W AUTOMOTIVE GPS SYSTEM, HANDHELD, NEW

US $136.50 (26 Bids)
End Date: Friday Dec-12-2008 15:40:19 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

GARMIN NUVI 250 AUTOMOTIVE GPS SYSTEM, HANDHELD, NEW

US $126.00 (12 Bids)
End Date: Friday Dec-12-2008 15:40:20 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

GARMIN NUVI 205W AUTOMOTIVE GPS SYSTEM, HANDHELD, NEW

US $122.50 (12 Bids)
End Date: Friday Dec-12-2008 16:00:18 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

More GPS Navigation Systems…

Consumer Consequences, A Game About Sustainability

Gavin — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:16:25 +0000

Although there are many ways a person can learn about our impact on the environment, the best learning occurs when you merge the serious stuff with fun, interaction, and visual interests. In this aspect, Consumer Consequence did a fantastic job. It’s an interactive game designed to illustrate the impact of our lifestyles on the Earth. It explores whether the modern American lifestyle is sustainable in the long run.

Once you completed the game, you’ll see your environmental impact and what you can do to reduce it. My score is 4.7 — not so great!

According to the game, these are some of the things I could do to reduce my ecological footprint:

Stop driving to work and use public transportation. Right now, I am driving (by myself) about 20 miles a day in a 10 years old car. I am sure that’s not good for the air quality. I’ll occasionally try to car pool, but it doesn’t always work out.
Grow my own food or buy locally grown food.
Reduce my intake of meat food group.
Cut down on beer and coffee.

Of course, these are old habits that will take time to adjust, but the important thing is the awareness and the willingness to adjust.

If you haven’t seen the game before, check it out.

What is Earth Outfit?

Gavin — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:19:28 +0000

Welcome to Earth Outfit. Earth Outfit is a site dedicated to discussion of environmental issues and raising awareness. The deterioration of our environment always have been a great concern for mine, but now, it’s even more so with the birth of my first child. It’s no longer about me, but about the entire future generations that come after us. How do we ensure that Earth will be a healthy and happy place for them?

Photo by Clarity via Flickr

Going forward, I hope to discuss environmental issues with liked-minded folks like you. Here, I’ll be talking mainly about environmental topics, including sustainability, green living tips, green products, etc.

Together, we will save the Earth one step at a time…