Re: [APML] SR44's DISPOSAL OF DEAD BATTERIES

[Matt BenDaniel <matt@starmatt.com>]

Ray,

I agree.  I save all my dead battery cells in a box and take them in for
hazmat recycling every few years.  Mercury cells are particularly bad
for the environment and their manufacture is now illegal in the USA. 
Silver Oxide cells are also bad.  Watch repair shops recover both types
of cells and recycle them and even earn a bit of money due to the
valuable metals that can be recovered.  NiCad cells can also be easily
recycled.  Unfortunately there is less of a recycling market for the
alkaline and MgO2 cells which are so common today.  Still, they should
be disposed of properly, because they constitute some of the worst
components of our waste.

Matt

cherrio wrote:
> 
> Matt,
> After years of disposing my batteries in the nearest trash can, I was urged
> to look up a local HAZARDOUS MATERIAL Site. Which much to my surprise there
> was one and they received them to be recycled of all things. I would urge
> all of us to seriously look into disposing of these seriously polluting
> items PROPERLY. Some stores now will recycle if you bring them in.
> I found if I take a 1 gallon plastic milk jug and cut the screw top off I
> can drop even D cells inside with ease and store them dry until I get a
> gallon to take to the HAZMAT Site.
> I talked to several neighbors and they save their batteries for which I
> offer to take them to HAZMAT. Thus saving landfill and pollute less and also
> recycle.
> My 2 cells worth.
> Ray Rochelle
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve..." <swalters@att.net>
> To: <astro-photo@seds.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 25, 2001 6:09 PM
> Subject: Re: [APML] SR44's
> 
> > Matt,
> >
> > Store most of them in your refrig (not freezer). Freezing them can destroy
> > the battery. Only take a few spares with you. This way you can keep the
> > majority reasonably fresh.
> >
> > I usually keep only 3 or 4 spares in my gear box and buy new fresh ones
> > every when these are getting used up.
> >
> > Steve...
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Matt BenDaniel" <matt@starmatt.com>
> > To: <astro-photo@seds.org>
> > Sent: Tuesday, December 25, 2001 10:30 AM
> > Subject: [APML] SR44's
> >
> >
> > > So you're out in middle of nowhere, setting up for AP, and in preparing
> to
> > drift align, you find the illuminator doesn't illuminate. Seems like its
> > batteries went dead. What if you forgot to bring spare batteries?
> > >
> > > In order to avoid the above, I took inventory of all my AP electronic
> > devices to verify that I had spare batteries on hand for all devices. In
> > doing so, I found that all of the following devices can take SR44 1.5v
> > batteries: PulsGuide illuminators, OM-4T SLR camera, micrometer,
> multimeter,
> > and hygrometer. I think even the devices that take a DL1/3N can take two
> > SR44's instead. So I ordered 20 SR44's from Radio Shack's web site (and
> got
> > a quantity discount $1.98 ea). For more info see:
> > > http://www.fouraker.com/everalk.html
> > >
> > > Does anyone have any cautionary advice?
> > > --
> > > Matt BenDaniel
> > > http://starmatt.com
> > >
> > >
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-- 
Matt BenDaniel
http://starmatt.com

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