 Think rechargeable
By Theo Boshoff
On a daily bases we hear the terms “be more green” and “think of the environment”, and we as consumers try to buy more environmentally friendly products and do the recycling thing. We sift through paper, glass and plastic, but what do we do with those harmful batteries and printer cartridges that need to be tossed out?
To make it easier for consumers to get rid of stuff that is harmful to the environment, contain heavy metals that really damage the planet, Pick n Pay, in conjunction with rechargeable battery maker Uniross, has formally launched in-store recycling collection bins.
According to the company, these bins will be available at its Hypermarket stores and selected corporate stores throughout the country to dump used batteries, plastic containers, ink cartridges and CFC light bulbs.
According to Michael Rogers, MD of Uniross, non-rechargeable batteries cannot be recycled and, therefore, the company is helping Pick n Pay to dispose of these in a safe manner, by casting them in concrete blocks.
Bronwen Rohland, Pick n Pay’s director of Sustainability, says Pick n Pay is trying to educate people about the harmfulness of non-rechargeable batteries in the hope that consumers will change to buying rechargeable batteries, which can be recycled.
“Currently it is estimated that the annual battery consumption in South Africa amounts to a staggering 50 million, more than 95% of which are disposable batteries, which means that 2 500 tons worth of batteries are added to our landfills every year,” Rogers adds.
To put it in perspective, one AA battery, it is said, can pollute up to 500 litres of water and one cubic metre of land for 50 years and a single rechargeable battery can replace up to 1 000 non-rechargeable batteries. Just think of how much this can help in preserving our planet for generations to come.
Uniross studies have revealed that rechargeable batteries have up to 32 times less impact on the environment than disposable batteries; 28 times less impact on global warming and 30 times less potential impact on air pollution. So, next time you reach for a pack of AAs for your remote control, think of that.
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