By Kimani Wiseman
Batteries and light bulbs helps to power St. Vincent and the Grenadines, without batteries and light bulbs, we would be living in a “dark world”. If we were to take a look around our house, school and workplace, we would observe that there are light bulbs and devices that use a lot of batteries. For example air conditioner and TV remotes in our homes and work place, toys for our children, cell phones, laptops, vehicle battery, flash lights, hand held video games, digital cameras, etc. Batteries are used to store chemical energy. Placing a battery in a circuit allows this chemical energy to generate electricity which can power devices like mobile phones, TV remotes and even cars. Light bulbs produces light from a filament. A filament is a very, very thin wire, and if you look closely at a light bulb you can see these wires. The electricity being run through it causes it to heat up. The metal used to make the filament glows when it becomes hot, and thus we have light. Modern light bulbs has replace the filament with a gas. When heated, these special gases glow and creates light.
In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we do not separate our garbage, whenever our batteries are dead and light bulbs are blown, they are thrown in the garbage, the days allocated for garbage in different areas, the garbage truck would remove our garbage, pulverized it, and take it to the landfill. The two main kinds of batteries are lead acid and lithium- ion. Lead acid batteries are commonly found in vehicles and lithium ion batteries are found in our phones, laptops, remotes, flashlights, etc. Lead acid batteries can be harmful because of their lead content. If not disposed of correctly, they can leak lead into the ground and water, harming plants, animals, and people. They can also catch fire easily, which is dangerous for the environment and our health, leading to air pollution and respiratory problems.
Lithium- ion batteries can also cause problems if not disposed of properly. When thrown away, they can release toxic substances like lithium and cobalt into the ground and water. If damaged or exposed to high heat, they can start fires, releasing harmful fumes into the air, endangering both the environment and human health. Batteries can also leak metals such as nickel and cadmium, both of which are known to be human carcinogens. Humans can develop cancer and other serious diseases if these substances contaminate the air or drinking water. According to a BBC news article published on September 10th 2016, the article states that Samsung has urged owners of the Galaxy Note 7 phones to stop using or exchange the devices as they risk “exploding”. The article further states that Samsung recalled 2.5 million phones after reports emerged of the device exploding during or after charging. Samsung also stated that battery problems were behind the phones catching fire. (https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37329191) .
Fluorescent bulbs have a small amount of mercury. When fluorescent bulbs are in use, they are safe, however, the risk of mercury pollution starts when the bulbs are broken, this usually happens when they are disposed of in the garbage and later on at the landfill. As a potent neurotoxin, mercury exposure can adversely affect the brain, kidneys, and liver in humans and can be a source of developmental problems for children. Mercury can also contaminate large areas of land and water accumulating in fish (which in turn are eaten by humans and other animals).
Here are some tips for reducing batteries and light bulbs in the environment:
Persons can purchase rechargeable batteries instead of disposable batteries. Rechargeable batteries would last longer than disposable batteries and would reduce the amount of batteries in the environment and at the landfill. Solar devices can also be purchased which would reduce the usage of Lithium- ion batteries.
Flow, Digicel and other private sector businesses can collaborate with the government and have a drop off point for persons to drop off dead batteries. The batteries can be sent overseas for recycling and in return these businesses would get a certain percentage of the money paid from the recycling companies which would increase their profit margin and would alleviate batteries going to the landfill. Batteries contain Zinc, Copper, Iron, manganese, etc. Which can be reused in other batteries and would conserve earth’s natural resources.
Vinlec can also have a drop off point for persons to drop off blown light bulbs. These bulbs can be shipped to recycling companies overseas, the money paid from the recycling companies for these light bulbs, Vinlec can use it to reduce the fuel surcharge for cheaper electricity and improving their services to customers.
Proper disposal of batteries and light bulbs is imperative for a healthy environment. We are living in a “technological world” and the amount of gadgets in our homes are increasing that requires batteries. More houses and hotels are being constructed which means an increase in light bulbs.The ball is in your court, what would you be doing to alleviate the amount of batteries and light bulbs in the environment?