More than a new Home Services concept, a real contribution to the environment for only 25$ per year
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| Crédit photo : Nadia Chaibi |
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The Canadian Consumer Battery Baseline Study (Final Report) published on February 2007, shows that only 2% of the domestic batteries are recycled in Canada.
The Study specifically shows that in 2004, an estimated 450 million (15,182 tonnes) consumer batteries were sold into the Canadian marketplace. Of this total, 72% were primary batteries (not rechargeable).
By 2010, an estimated 494 million units (15,977 tonnes) of consumer batteries will be discarded, of which most (478 million units) will still be primary consumer batteries
Few voluntary programs such as RBRC (Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation
Do not give the real opportunity to resolve the risks of pollution by these dangerous wastes .
To collect used batteries not only makes it possible to take part in the reduction of the volume of domestic wastes but also permit to save the natural resources of the ground by re-using the metals contained in the batteries and also to avoid the risks of pollution in our environment.
The Canadian Consumer Battery Baseline Study can be consulted on line at: http://www.ec.gc.ca/nopp/docs/rpt/battery/fr/toc.cfm
Composition of batteries
From the Environment Canada website, paragraph 3.3 of the Canadian Consumer Battery Baseline Study – Final Report http://www.ec.gc.ca/nopp/docs/rpt/battery/en/c3.cfm#s3_3 Consulted august 9th 2007
Several sources were used to identify the metal and chemical composition of different battery types presented in Table 3.3. The table shows the composition of various battery types as the percentage of the total weight comprised of different metals, electrolytes, plastic and paper. As an example, primary zinc carbon batteries consist of: 20% zinc, 25% manganese, 20% ferrous metal, 5% zinc chloride, 10% water and 20% plastic, paper and carbon. Alkaline batteries have a similar composition for some materials, with a few differences. They consist of 20% zinc, 30% manganese, 20% ferrous metal, 5% potassium hydroxide, 10% water and 15% paper, plastic and carbon. Lithium primary batteries consist of 50% ferrous metal, 30% manganese and 2% lithium, as well as other materials.
Most of the batteries have a high ferrous metal content.
Nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries contain 20% nickel, 15% cadmium and 45% ferrous metal. Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries contain a small amount of aluminum (5%), cobalt (10%), manganese (5%) and 70% nickel. Small sealed lead acid batteries consist of 65% lead, 8% sulphuric acid, 17% water and 10% other non-metals materials.
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Thanks to the cooperation of municipalities and large distribution chains, Peintures Récupérées du Québec inc. was able to establish a collection network for paint remains in all areas of Quebec. In 2003, the company collected 2.6 million kilos of paint and in 2004, 3 million kilos of paint were delivered to its plant. The volume of paint remains to be recovered in the province of Quebec alone is estimated to be four to five million kilos. There is still a lot of room for expansion.
Éco-peinture is a nonprofit corporation, funded entirely by its members who are recruited from the industry. Its mission is to promote and facilitate the recovery of paint residues and paint containers, to support and encourage the reclamation of recovered paint, and to contribute to waste recycling.
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