Batteries and accumulators are considered hazardous waste. They consist of various chemicals that allow them to work through reactions. Some of these substances, such as nickel and cadmium, are very toxic and can cause harm to people and the environment.
In particular, they can infect water, soil and damage wildlife. Cadmium can harm microorganisms and adversely affect the decomposition of organic matter. It can also accumulate in fish, which reduces its number and makes it unsuitable for human consumption.
In addition, the batteries contain alkaline and acid components, heavy metals (mercury, lithium, lead, zinc, cobalt).
Which batteries are more dangerous - disposable or rechargeable?
In the household, both disposable and rechargeable batteries are used.
Batteries are used in mobile devices, laptops, computers, digital video cameras, cameras. They contain environmentally hazardous compounds of nickel and cadmium, nickel hydride and lithium.
Disposable batteries are used in flashlights, toys, smoke detectors, wall clocks, calculators, radios and remote controls. These are alkaline batteries in which a chemical reaction turns into an electric one. They contain zinc and manganese. Disposable batteries are less harmful than batteries, but they are more often thrown away, and the amount of waste from them is greater.
