The Environmental Cost of Your Battery

1
A Greener Business
Is A Better Business
Learn about the Environmental and Cost Benefits
of Recycling Batteries
2
Batteries play a significant role in our everyday
lives.
3
The Often Overlooked Battery
Batteries are an invaluable resource of energy
and utility. We often take for granted their
convenience, functionality, and in many cases,
life-saving applications, including equipment
used by hospitals, first responders, police and
fire departments, and emergency
vehicles. Unfortunately, if not properly
recycled, batteries can cause harm to the
environment by contaminating soils and water. On
the next few pages, learn what you need to know
about battery recycling.
4
Know The Facts
Of the 70 million pounds of batteries sold each
year across North America, a mere 10 to 12
percent are recycled, according to Call2Recycle,
a nonprofit public service organization. That
means up to 90 percent of all batteries in North
America end up in our landfills each year,
potentially leaking into the ground. Many parts
in alkaline, carbon zinc, mercuric-oxide,
silver-oxide, zinc-air, and lithium batteries are
easily recyclable to make other useful products,
including rebar and electronics.
5
Common Types of Recyclable Batteries
Alkaline and Carbon Zinc
Nickel-Cadmium
Lithium

• AAA
• AA
• C-cell
• D-cell
• 9-volt
• Button cells

• AAA
• AA
• 9-volt
• Small-cylinder
• Button cells

• AAA
• AA
• C-cell
• D-cell
• Small-cylinder
• Poly-wrapped cell packs

6
What Happens To Recycled Batteries?
The zinc, manganese concentrate, steel, plastic,
and paper in alkaline, zinc carbon, and zinc-air
batteries are all recycled into fresh, new
batteries.
25 Mn Manganese 54.938
30 Zn Zinc 65.39
7
The 1 Reason Why Every Business
Should Recycle Their Batteries Is
It keeps the cost down now, but more importantly,
in the long run. Besides being environmentally
sound, recycling your batteries allows for them
to be made into new batteries. Raw materials are
often more expensive than their recycled
counterparts. Plus, some of the key materials
in batteries are from nonrenewable resources we
need to conserve what we have because once we use
it up, its gone for good.
8
3 Steps To Ensure Batteries Are Recycled
1. Have a single designated place employees drop
off old batteries to be recycled, such as the
supply room. 2. Implement an exchange program
new batteries are handed out when old batteries
are handed in. 3. Contact a battery recycling
program to see if they provide free, specially
labeled collection containers, or better yet,
offer a service to pick up old batteries.
9
Why Buy Batteries In Bulk?
Here are 3 green reasons your business should buy
wholesale industrial batteries 1. One large
shipment significantly reduces your carbon
footprint over receiving several small shipments
throughout the year.
2. Its easier to keep track of your battery
inventory when you purchase them in bulk this
will make it easier to recycle as well. 3. A
companys green efforts are great marketing tools
buy in bulk, recycle, and let your customers
know youre doing your part for the environment.
10
Telecom Electric Supply Company (TES) is your
trusted online source for industrial,
rechargeable, and lithium batteries at
exceptional prices. Buy in bulk and save! Please
visit www.tes.com for more information.
Contact Us
11
Resources
Image
http//www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/battery.
htm http//www.batteryrecycling.com/batteryrecyc
lingprocess http//www.cbsnews.com/news/powering
-the-future-the-benefits-of-battery-recycling/
Attributions
Slide 1 Recycle symbol http//www.freeimages.com/
photo/1266576 Battery close up http//www.freeimag
es.com/photo/472154 Slide 2 Camera http//www.fr
eeimages.com/photo/1201943 Flashlight http//www.f
reeimages.com/photo/900537 Emergency http//www.fr
eeimages.com/photo/1334532 Phone in
hand http//www.freeimages.com/photo/1438231 Lapto
p http//www.freeimages.com/photo/917103
Slide 4 Water bottle http//www.freeimages.com/ph
oto/733906 Sock http//www.freeimages.com/photo/9
22363 Slice of pizza http//www.freeimages.com/p
hoto/1067182 Trash bin http//www.freeimages.com/
photo/637042 Slide 5 Steel http//www.freeimage
s.com/photo/1398141 Blue Plastic http//www.freeim
ages.com/photo/1197298 Slide 7 Recycle
symbol http//www.freeimages.com/photo/1266576 Sl
ide 8 Recycle bin http//www.freeimages.com/photo
/1046917
12
Summary
Make your business greener by implementing a
battery recycling program. Learn about the
benefits of recycling batteries and why its
better to buy in bulk.