Environmental Protection
Created | Updated Feb 10, 2002
The idea outlined below is something I've been working on for over 12 months now, and is based on a successful system which has been in operation elsewhere (mainly Scandinavia & Germany) for many years.
Here in the UK we are (as usual!) lagging well behind in this as in most other matters involving environmental protection!
DRY CELL BATTERIES
Latest available figures (November 1999 was the last time I asked for a 'current' estimation, by the way!) indicate that an estimated 800 MILLION used batteries finished up in UK landfill sites in the 12 months period to that date.
Over the next 25 - 30 years, these will corrode away and release their highly toxic LEAD, CADMIUM, NICKEL, & other non-biodegradable component parts into the subsoil and (eventually) pollute our water table.
Unless something is done about this, we are effectively poisoning our childrens' childrens' childrens' . . . hope the point is made!!
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Current and forthcoming EU legislation will make it our OWN responsibility to 'clean up our act' both individually AND nationally, projected dates for enforcement of EU rules various dates between 2002 - 2007 and punishable by fines for non-compliance.
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS
A scheme I saw used effectively whilst living in Scandinavia for a number of years.
Batteries are by and large PREVENTED FROM ENTERING THE REFUSE CHAIN by being collected separately from other household rubbish.
Consumers are further encouraged to take 'spent' batteries with them when they go to RETAIL OUTLETS to replace them: every retail outlet has a 'dump bin' for batteries, every bus station/main road layby/ motorway service station/other public area will more than likely have separate & CLEARLY IDENTIFIED battery bins.
Locally I've had a lot of politicians & even large-scale manufacturers making lots of encouraging noises about "What a good idea this is ... "
.... but (again, surprise surprise!!) nobody is prepared to stick their hand in their pocket and FUND the initiative - despite the fact that I have made initial contact with a purpose-built battery recycling plant in Sweden where collected batteries can be forwarded for (partial) recycling and environmentally safe destruction of what cannot be recycled.
If consumers can be RE-EDUCATED to change habits in this one area, it would have a significant and long-lasting effect.
Publicity is needed more than anything else: I have outlined this idea for MaggyW @ the 360 Project on h2g2 and would be happy to hear from anyone who wants to know more: contact me via h2g2 and I will gladly forward more details, including my e-mail address!
BAGHEERA
Here in the UK we are (as usual!) lagging well behind in this as in most other matters involving environmental protection!
DRY CELL BATTERIES
Latest available figures (November 1999 was the last time I asked for a 'current' estimation, by the way!) indicate that an estimated 800 MILLION used batteries finished up in UK landfill sites in the 12 months period to that date.
Over the next 25 - 30 years, these will corrode away and release their highly toxic LEAD, CADMIUM, NICKEL, & other non-biodegradable component parts into the subsoil and (eventually) pollute our water table.
Unless something is done about this, we are effectively poisoning our childrens' childrens' childrens' . . . hope the point is made!!
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Current and forthcoming EU legislation will make it our OWN responsibility to 'clean up our act' both individually AND nationally, projected dates for enforcement of EU rules various dates between 2002 - 2007 and punishable by fines for non-compliance.
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS
A scheme I saw used effectively whilst living in Scandinavia for a number of years.
Batteries are by and large PREVENTED FROM ENTERING THE REFUSE CHAIN by being collected separately from other household rubbish.
Consumers are further encouraged to take 'spent' batteries with them when they go to RETAIL OUTLETS to replace them: every retail outlet has a 'dump bin' for batteries, every bus station/main road layby/ motorway service station/other public area will more than likely have separate & CLEARLY IDENTIFIED battery bins.
Locally I've had a lot of politicians & even large-scale manufacturers making lots of encouraging noises about "What a good idea this is ... "
.... but (again, surprise surprise!!) nobody is prepared to stick their hand in their pocket and FUND the initiative - despite the fact that I have made initial contact with a purpose-built battery recycling plant in Sweden where collected batteries can be forwarded for (partial) recycling and environmentally safe destruction of what cannot be recycled.
If consumers can be RE-EDUCATED to change habits in this one area, it would have a significant and long-lasting effect.
Publicity is needed more than anything else: I have outlined this idea for MaggyW @ the 360 Project on h2g2 and would be happy to hear from anyone who wants to know more: contact me via h2g2 and I will gladly forward more details, including my e-mail address!
BAGHEERA
