Recycling used phone batteries

Thousands of old cellular phones are replaced with newer models. The old ones are then placed in boxes and never used again. That's too bad, because phones are useful, and the batteries contain toxic material. They should be recycled.

Why do we need to recycle our phone batteries?

Well, mobile phone batteries contain toxic materials such as lithium, cadmium, nickel, lead and hydrate metals that could pollute the earth if not disposed of properly. These batteries cannot be disposed of by throwing them together with your household rubbish, as chemicals can seep into the rivers and eventually into our rivers and oceans. By recycling your used cell phone batteries, you are helping to create a cleaner and safer environment.

Furthermore, toxic waste cannot be incinerated.

Please be kind to the environment and not throw your batteries in the trash. The environmental protection agency (EPA) in America estimates that 200 tons of cadmium and 260,000 tonnes of lead enter the waste stream annually. We're sure that quite a large percentage comes from batteries.

Which batteries are recyclable?

Not all cell phone batteries are recyclable. The following rechargeable battery chemistries can be recycled - Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion), and Small Sealed Lead (Pb). Look for the Battery Recycling Seal on the battery.

Who is involved in the battery recycling campaign in Malaysia?

Right now, there are a few companies in Malaysia that is doing their best to help promote the recycling of phone batteries. Private mobile phone companies have placed special transparent bins on their premises. The Department of Environment in all states will also place the special bins at public places such as shopping complexes to encourage the public to recycle their old batteries.

Alam Flora Sdn. Bhd. and Kualiti Alam Sdn. Bhd would then collect these batteries. They are sent to Korea, Taiwan and France for recycling, as Malaysia currently does not have the technology to recycle batteries.