h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Thursday 07 January 2002

Okay, looks like I'm going to have to do this the hard way!
I've spent the last hour or more trying to invent a way to "Cut & Paste" files of various types & sizes (mostly Mictosoft Word/Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint) from my research files compiled over the last 18 months or so onto this page in h2g2, but nothing happens!

The project I have in mind is one which I believe can very easily be made to work, and would be in UK terms be UNIQUE (and therefore without any danger of competition from others!)

I have seen similar systems which have been operating for some considerable time work effectively throughout Scandinavia, when I lived there for many years.

The waste product targetted is SINGLE USE DRY CELL BATTERIES. In the UK we have never done anything other than bury these itemsd in landfill sites. Being non-biodegradable, they simply rot there for 25 - 30 years or so, until the casings have corroded sufficiently to release the TOXINS they contain - principally lead, nickel and cadmium - into the subsoil and eventually into out groundwater, where they pose a serious pollution risk to future generations.

In 1998 it is estimated that almost 700 MILLION batteries were butied at landfill sites around the UK, and the figures are estimated to increase by about 5% p.a. - that would suggest a figure in the region of 830 MILLION batteries being discarded in 2002. In perspective, if you reckon this to be in the region of 12 - 13 batteries annually for every person living in the country, this total is quite possibly a conservative estimate!

Certain elements & components can, however, be reused, and to achieve this purpose-built specialist facilities exist in Sweden and in France. As part of my research to date I have corresponded with both plants and I am optimistic that a deal can be struck to deliver consignments of 'spent' batteries from UK sources for recycling and environmentally secure disposal of the toxic remnants which cannot be recycled.

The scheme I envisage would comprise two main elements, one Educational the other Practical.

EDUCATION

Not just in schools, but our society as a whole must be encouraged to develop a more responsible attitude towards consumer goods and the effect poor waste management can have on our environment. There is current & forthcoming EU legislation which will make it leghally binding on all of us to 'clean up our act' environmentally before 2007, with fines and other penalties a real possibility if this is not done.

PRACTICAL

In Scandinavia consumers are encouraged to return 'spent' batteries to retail outlets when thery go to purchase replacements: every retailer has a 'dump bin' for used batteries next to the tills. When the scheme first started, I am told that there was a 'money off' scheme on production of the 'spent' batteries, which was later phased out when people had developed the habit. 'Dump bins' are also to be found e.g. at motorway service stations/rest areas, bus & railway stations, and other public places alongside the 'standard' litter bins.

INDUSTRY

During my research I was quite surprised to discover just how much industry depends on dry cell batteries for hand tools on the factory floor, for example, and especially in situations where connecting cables for power tools might be either an irritating inconvenience or in certain circumstances a safety risk. I have had positive meetings with certain people concerned with major manufacturers on Merseyside who have indicated that they would certainly be interested in disposing of a significant number of dry cell batteries annually and would be anxious to support any scheme which had environmental improvements as its prime goal.

A number of local politicians (including MPs) have also expressed interest and support for the idea. This is all very well, but so far the problem is, nobody is prepared to risk any CASH to establish the idea. I have written to a large number of potential sources of capital, and today coincidentally I have had my first response; a brief telephone call from the Environment Agency (whom I contacted in April 2001) to say they regretted being unable ... etc etc, and a letter would follow exoplaining in more detail their reasons ... I suppose I ought to feel grateful that at least they have replied, other people I wrote to/spoke to even before that date have yet to respond or even in some cases acknowledge receipt of my letter(s).

I believe that as with many other things, a simple idea can be made to work. I have seen how this HAS been made to work elsewhere (similar schemes exist in Holland & Germany, I'm told). Perhaps with the right sort of people involved, and just a LITTLE bit of finance from somewhere, this might be considered a viable scheme for consideration as a h2g2 360 Project!

I have a much more detailed Business Plan available once I figure a way to 'Cut & Paste' files from my PC onto a h2g2 Message Board!

Yours Sincerely
"BAGHEERA" Paul McDermott
[personal information removed by moderator]
e-mail: [email protected]

Wow! Great....I'll put a note up on the Gather Round section so people can find you.

Congrats!

Maggy

Thanks, Maggy!

Now this is a good idea. What sort of scale are you thinking of to start with? Would you just be looking to collect from industrial locations to begin with?
Here's hoping this gets off the ground.

Munchkin, feeling kind of glad I never got around to getting new batteries for my personal stereo now

Glad you like the idea! All good ideas are simple, really.
I've had good feedback from several industrial-scale consumers locally, and hopefully it won't be too long before some sort of 'test programme' gets started - more info as and when it starts to happen!

Accidentally deleted, hopefully now back!

Looks to be fine to me, unless who are meaning something else

First off, this is a great idea, and it's absolutely foolish that more nations do not have programs like this set up.

Secondly, do you, or anybody, know of a system like the one planned here, already set up in the States? I know I have occasionally heard about battery recycling, but I have always heard that it was not economically possible. If it does not exist here, I would be more than willing to participate in any such project started in the Washington, DC area.

I very much hope to see this idea develops into a full 360 article, please keep with it.

I found this act on the US Environmental Protection Agency web site. It shows intentions along your lines, although I have not heard any publicity about it. Perhaps it can help you in some way-
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/state/policy/pl104.txt

ok