What Is The Environmental Impact Of Battery?

Did you know that the demand for batteries has exponentially grown over the years? And why not? The growing demand stems from the fact that the consumption of electronic appliances and battery-powered goods has increased aggressively with time. These electronics include Smartphones, digital cameras, laptops, automobiles, and more. In fact, the Global e-waste monitor reports that the world produces over 53.6 million metric tonnes of battery waste every year. Of course, the number is ascending, making it all the more important to establish stringent battery rules to turn down the ratio of battery waste.

Ever wondered why batteries stand out as a preferred source of power? Music players, cars, or everyday appliances, the utility of batteries is truly indispensable in the present age. Here’s why:

• Batteries are light-weight and portable
• It ensures longer storage of energy or power.

In short, batteries are devices that store chemical energy and efficiently convert it into electrical energy.

How are batteries endangering the environment?

Batteries are either rechargeable or non-rechargeable. Regardless, once exhausted, trashing away the batteries seems deceptively simple. But do you realize that trashing away batteries has adverse impacts on the environment? Wondering why? Well, batteries are more than just metal shells and covers. The power devices are brimming with toxic and hazardous compounds like mercury, lithium, lead, cadmium, and more.

Hence, as and how the batteries decay with time, the chemicals spread out into the soil, polluting the groundwater and the earth. Also, improperly disposed batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, can be incredibly unstable if left exposed in landfills for a long time. Little do you know that these chemicals can cause massive fire outbreaks in landfills. Sadly, the smoulder from the fire lingers for years, aggravating breathing disorders.

Why just the environment? Improperly disposed of batteries pose a great deal of threat to human health. Wondering how? Batteries contain strong and corrosive acids that sting and risk the eyes and skin. According to the facts disclosed by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, batteries contain a good amount of nickel and cadmium that are carcinogenic in nature. Besides, the risks of mercury poisoning increase with the leakage of mercury, found abundantly in batteries.

Simply put, mindless battery disposal is harmful to the environment in many ways. Of course, putting an end to the aggravating environmental conditions is the need of the hour. Hence, environmentalists, in association with the governments, are spearheading an effective and strategic management of battery waste. Thinking optimized recycling of batteries? Unquestionably a proven technique in battery waste management.

However, recycling alone isn’t efficient enough to grapple with the surging battery waste situation. What works wonders instead is circular economy of battery waste.

What do you understand by circular economy of battery waste?

‍Circular economy is not a far cry from recycling. However, it is an integrative approach that highlights the importance of manufacturing and redesigning batteries using environmentally-friendly compounds. In addition, circular economy also prioritizes reusing and repurposing end-of-life batteries to minimize the walloping piles of battery waste. The well-thought strategic action certainly works in addressing waste and battery disposal problems. More importantly, circular economy solutions reduce the environmental costs associated with the ruthless mining of raw materials to keep up with the increasing production of batteries.

While renowned PROs like Karo Sambhav are constantly engaged in advocating the enhanced implementation of circular economy; manufacturers, producers, and business owners are quite jumbled trying to figure out ways to put the circular economy principles into practice. Result? Effective battery waste management continues to be a miss, and the environmental dangers of toxic battery waste keep looming. Thus, the government has introduced a stronger initiative to ensure the proper implementation of circular economy. Wondering what? It is EPR battery waste management.

EPR, or Extended Producer Responsibility, is an environmental policy that mandatorily obligates brand owners, manufacturers, and importers to collect, channel, and treat end-of-life batteries. Describing EPR as a hands-on approach to managing battery waste is appropriate. Here’s why:

‍Battery authorization has been made legally mandatory to operate a business in the country. It obligates producers and business owners to responsibly manufacture, treat, dispose of, and refurbish the spent batteries. This naturally declines the growing ratio of battery waste.

If you are not already aware, battery waste symbolizes a scarcity of raw and natural resources. Do you know what goes into the making of batteries? Valuable components like nickel, cobalt, lithium, mercury, and more. Not repurposing the high-performance batteries and trashing them away in landfills implies a severe loss of finite and valuable raw materials. EPR battery waste management guides brand owners and producers to manufacture batteries using components that are easy to recycle and reuse. This ensures maximum conservation of raw materials and is a pragmatic approach to reducing waste.

Hence, EPR battery regulations aim to minimize the ratios of battery waste and preserve the finite quantities of raw materials for the upcoming generation. Are you slightly muddled about the EPR norms and the documentation involved? Don’t worry! The government allows companies and manufacturers to partner with certified PROs (Producer Responsibility Organizations) like Karo Sambhav to stay compliant with the drafted battery rules.

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