Title

Local-Government Household Battery Collection Programs - Costs And Benefits

Authors

Authors

R. A. Shapek

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Resour. Conserv. Recycl.

Keywords

DRY CELL BATTERY; HEAVY METAL; COLLECTION PROGRAM; HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS; WASTE; Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences

Abstract

Nearly three billion dry-cell household batteries are discarded in the municipal waste stream annually. While the mercury content of newer batteries has been reduced, older batteries and the accumulated total of mercury and cadmium, as well as other metals in the newer batteries still constitute a potential health risk. Many communities have initiated collection programs to remove this source of contamination from the municipal waste stream, but most have not. Fourteen states have enacted legislation regulating the disposal of household batteries, while nine states require the collection of rechargeable batteries. This article describes the potential health risks associated with continued disposal and incineration of household dry-cell batteries, reviews a sampling of existing municipal collection programs in US communities, and examines the costs and benefits and program options of collection programs.

Journal Title

Resources Conservation and Recycling

Volume

15

Issue/Number

1

Publication Date

1-1-1995

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

1

Last Page

19

WOS Identifier

WOS:A1995TB88200001

ISSN

0921-3449

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