Why Are Batteries Harmful To The Environment

Why are batteries harmful
to the environment?
Lesson Background
This lesson plan has been designed using the Australian Curriculum to engage
students from Middle and Upper Primary (Years 3 to 6), with extension
activities for Lower High School (Years 7 and 8). This lesson plan can be
adapted by teachers to meet individual teaching needs.
Lesson Aim
Students will learn what batteries are used for, the dierent types of batteries available, the life
cycle of a battery and what can be done to reduce the impact on the environment associated with
battery disposal.
Copyright Clean Up Australia 2011.

This sheet may be photocopied for non-commercial classroom use.
Page 1 of 13
Why are batteries harmful to the environment?
Learning Outcomes
As outlined in the Australian Curriculum:
Science
Year
Strand
4
Science Understanding
Science as a Human Endeavour
3&4
(Cross-Year linkage)
Science Inquiry Skills
Science as a Human Endeavour
Maths
3-6
7-8
Problem Solving and Reasoning
Background
Information
The Use of Batteries
Batteries power our modern way of life.
We use batteries in many everyday devices
we tend to take for granted including cars,
computers, laptops, radios,
MP3 players, mobile
phones, remote controls,
torches, toys, watches and
clocks.
Sub-Strand and Elaborations
Chemical sciences physical properties (ACSSU074)

Use and influence of science waste management
(ACSHE062)
Questioning and predicting predictions
Yr 3 - (ACSIS053) or Yr 4 - (ACSIS064)
Planning and Conducting class surveys
Processing and analysing data predictions
Communicating diagrams and simple reports
Physical sciences energy sources (ACSSU219)
Use and influence of science sustainable
energy sources (ACSHE220)
Earth and space sciences renewable and
non-renewable resources (ACSSU116)
Use and influence of science household waste
(ACSHE135)
Collecting, graphing and interpreting data
Compare costs of items to make financial decisions
Classroom Activity 1
Batteries in modern life
Aim: To identify the use of batteries
in modern life.
Timing: 25 to 30 minutes.
Ask students to write a list or create a
diagram of all things in the classroom that
operate using batteries, non-rechargeable
or otherwise.
As a homework activity, ask students to use
the Household Survey worksheet to find up
to ten devices in their house that operate
on batteries, filling in all columns except for
adding up the totals. Then, in class, review the
students findings, and add up the individual
totals. Finally, compile the individual student
totals into a class summary of the number
of household items found that used nonrechargeable batteries, and the number of
household items found that use rechargeable
batteries.
Curriculum Link: ACSIS060
Learning Stages: Middle and Upper Primary

Page 2 of 13
Worksheet: Household Survey

Ask students to survey their home of all the things that operate on batteries and complete
the following sheet. Ask students to fill out the entire sheet except for adding up the totals.
Object
How many batteries

in the object?
Rechargeable or not?
(Y/N)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Total No =
Rechargeable =
Not Rechargeable =

Page 3 of 13

Types of Batteries
Non-rechargeable batteries (also called
primary, dry cell or alkaline batteries) are the
most common household battery. They are
often used in torches, toys, smoke detectors,
watches, calculators, hearing aids, radios and
remote controls. This kind of battery cannot
be recharged after use and, although they can
be recycled, battery recycling programmes and
facilities are still developing their presence in
Australia, so most primary batteries are simply
thrown away when they become flat.
Rechargeable batteries (also called secondary
batteries) can be recharged and reused
repeatedly. They are commonly found in cordless
phones, cordless drills, mobile phones, laptops,
shavers, digital cameras, video cameras and
house alarms. Although rechargeable/reusable,
their ability to hold a charge diminishes over
time and will eventually need to be disposed
of when they can no longer hold a charge. As
with primary batteries, these batteries can
also be recycled, but again, the facilities and
programmes to achieve this have yet to become
mainstream in Australia.
For information on recycling batteries near you,
visit www.recyclingnearyou.com.au.
Table 1 (below): Advantages and disadvantages

of rechargeable battery use can be used to
promote class discussion.
Advantages of Rechargeable Batteries
Aim: To identify the many uses of batteries,
distinguish between rechargeable and nonrechargeable batteries and promote the
advantages of rechargeable batteries.
Provide students with a number of

dierent batteries to look at. Ask students
if they know the dierence between the
batteries and what they are used for.
Explain to students there are two dierent

types of batteries
a. Non-rechargeable batteries (primary)
b. Rechargeable batteries (secondary)
Make a list of the pros and cons of

rechargeable versus non-rechargeable
batteries and promote class discussion.
Curriculum Links: ACSHE062; ACSSU219;

ACSHE220
Learning Stage: Mid to Upper Primary.
Advantages and disadvantages of using rechargeable batteries over non-rechargeable batteries
Advantages
Can be used multiple times, reducing the
volume of batteries going to landfill.
Can be recharged rather than spending
money on new batteries.
You can use a solar recharger.
Disadvantages
More expensive than other batteries.
Need to recharge the battery between
uses.
They can be thrown out before they are
completely used.
As they are reused, there is less waste and

toxic minerals going into landfills.

Page 4 of 13

Battery Life Cycle
Batteries contain a range of metals, which are
usually mined from the ground. These materials
go to a manufacturing plant, where they are
transformed into batteries. Energy is also
required for the process of making batteries.
These new batteries are then transported to
a shop where they are sold to consumers, or
placed in items that need power.
For rechargeable batteries, once they go flat,
they are usually recharged using electricity. It
doesnt take much power to recharge a battery.
Some batteries can be recharged up to 1500
times, such as the SANYO Eneloop rechargeable
battery, meaning that for each recharge, you
are making a positive choice to not buy new
batteries (www.eneloop.info).
For non-rechargeable batteries, once they go
flat they are thrown out and become landfill.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that
Australia imported 267 million disposable
batteries and 50 million rechargeable batteries
in 2004 (ABS, 2005). However, the greatest
environmental concern surrounding batteries
is the impact they have at the end of their lives.
Australia hasnt embraced battery recycling - it
is estimated that around 95% of dead batteries
end up in landfill - and this is where the most
serious problem starts (www.batteryrecycling.
org.au)
Non-rechargeable Batteries:
Provide power to devices through the conversion
of chemical energy into electrical energy.
Among other chemicals, they contain zinc and
manganese chemistry to produce the electrical
energy. (www.gmagazine.com.au)
Rechargeable batteries:
Usually provide power to devices through
the conversion of chemical energy, created
by the chemical combinations of nickel
cadmium, nickel metal hydride or lithium ion.
(www.gmagazine.com.au)
Batteries are made from a variety of chemicals to

power their reactions. Some of these chemicals,
such as nickel and cadmium, are extremely
toxic and can cause damage to humans and the
environment.
In particular, they can cause soil and water
pollution and endanger wildlife. For example,
cadmium can cause damage to soil microorganisms and aect the breakdown of organic
matter. It can also bio-accumulate in fish, which
reduces their numbers and makes them unfit for
human consumption.
For more information on batteries, have a look
at the Clean Up Battery Recycling Fact Sheet
www.cleanup.org.au.
Battery Life Cycle
Aim: To educate students on the life cycle
costs of batteries.
Ask students what they or their family do
with batteries when they are no longer
working or dead.
Using the above information, as well as
internet resources, examine what happens
to batteries if they are not disposed of
properly and the eects of improper disposal
on the environment.
Complete the worksheet Taking Action True or False? and discuss what actions the
students can take to reduce the impact of
batteries on the environment.
Curriculum Link: ACSHE062
Learning Stage: Middle and Upper Primary
Batteries are identified as a problem material

when they are thrown out and become waste.

Page 5 of 13
Worksheet: Taking Action True or False?

There are some simple rules about how to safely handle batteries. Which one of the following
statements will help you do this? Write True or False in the answers box.
TRUE or FALSE
Action
1
Use rechargeable batteries, as they can be re-used

several hundreds of times
Choose primary batteries that are made from highly toxic materials
like mercury and cadium
Purchase equipment that uses a winding mechanism and does not

require batteries to operate e.g radios & torches.
Recycle your rechargeable batteries when they can no longer

hold a charge
Recycle your non-rechargeable batteries
Mix batteries with other objects, such as keys and coins,

that can cause the battery to short circuit
Remove batteries from equipment not being used as batteries may

leak, corrode and damage the equipment which creates more waste
Take apart or tamper with the case of the battery
Purchase batteries when you need them, as they have a

limited shelf life
10 Remove batteries from battery-operated equipment before

disposing the equipment
11 Make batteries last longer by following recharging instructions on
their packaging
12 Throw away equipment with the batteries still inside
13 Reverse the positive and negative terminals of the batteries when
installing them in equipment or charger
14 Recharge batteries when they are near to fully discharged
15 Dispose of a battery in a fire or water
16 Opt for appliances that can use power derived from the sun
via solar panels.
Answers:
True: 1,3,4,5,7,9,10,11,14,16. False: 2,6,8,12,13,15
Page 6 of 13

Disposal
Can you reduce battery consumption?
Landfill is generally where batteries end up.

Regulations governing battery disposal dier in
each state and territory in Australia.
The most eective way to avoid battery waste is

to reduce the amount you use. There are many
items that do not require batteries such as non
battery operated watches, wind up radios and
wind up torches.
In Western Australia, both disposable and

rechargeable batteries are classed as hazardous
waste; they are placed in steel drums encased
in concrete within secure landfills so that air
and water cant corrode the battery casings.
In Queensland, by comparison, people throw
batteries in the bin with impunity.
The only batteries currently recycled in Australia
are the lead-acid batteries that power our cars
and trucks; more than 90% of which are recycled.
The good news is that moves are underway to
establish household battery recycling.
In Melbourne, a trial of a free recycling service
for household batteries began in mid 2007.
The service is a joint initiative between the
Government and industry to provide places where
people can drop o their dead batteries.
For further information on battery waste, visit
G Magazine online www.gmagazine.com.au
or the NSW Department of Environment,
Climate Change and Water www.environment.
nsw.gov.au
Are batteries recyclable?

Unfortunately, there is no national recycling
scheme for primary batteries in Australia.
However, there are some companies that collect
batteries and ship them overseas to be recycled.
The Australian Battery Recycling Initiative (ABRI)
is a relatively new organisation that consists of
various battery industry organisations, recycling
and collection companies plus environmental
and government organisations that are working
together at developing a sustainable viable
national recycling program in Australia.
Batteries contain a range of metals, which
can be reused as a secondary raw material.
There are methods for recycling most batteries
containing lead, nickel-cadmium, nickel hydride
and mercury.
For further information on ways to reduce

battery consumption, visit the Municipal Waste
Advisory webpage www.wastenet.net.au.
Can you re-use batteries?

Yes you can! There are many types of batteries
that you can purchase that are rechargeable
which means you can use the battery over and
over again saving you money and reducing your
impact on the environment.
Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable
batteries can be used up
to 1500 times. The Sanyo
Eneloop rechargeable battery
uses the latest technology and
does not have any cadmium
contained in it and therefore it
is safer for the environment.
Clean Up Australia has a relationship with SANYO
Oceania. SANYO Oceania is also a corporate
member of Australia Battery Recycling Initiative
and has contributed to the development of this
lesson plan resource.
It is Clean Up Australias view that the SANYO
Eneloop Ni-MH battery is exemplary because:
it does not require charging prior to use
it can be recharged about 1500 times
(many more times than other rechargeable
batteries)
it has a low self-discharge rate
it contains no cadmium (which can leach from
the battery case in the waste stream)
it is recyclable at the end of its life
Therefore, Clean Up Australia used the SANYO
Eneloop battery as its choice of rechargeable
battery to compare with non-rechargeable
batteries. To learn more about the SANYO
Eneloop rechargeable battery, visit www.
eneloop.info/

Page 7 of 13

First-hand Investigation of
Rechargeable Batteries
Aim: To educate students to become advocates
of rechargeable batteries for high-drain
devices. These batteries reduce waste and
contamination and save energy and virgin
resources.
You will need two identical digital cameras (with
identical settings), one set of non-rechargeable
batteries and one set of rechargeable batteries
(for best results, the experiment will need to
be conducted a number of times so that you
can determine the average life span for a nonrechargeable and rechargeable battery).
Before the experiment, ask students what they
think the outcome of the experiment may be
in terms of which battery yields more photos.
Instruct the students to take photos of
their local environment with the theme of
sustainability. The students are not to delete
photos, review photos or change camera
settings, and the flash is to be turned o. These
instructions are provided to control variables
in camera use that might impact upon energy
consumption.
Students can record their results in a table,
similar to Table 2 below.
In conducting the experiment, students are

to take photos with the cameras until the
batteries run out. Students are not to remove
the batteries or rub them to prolong battery
life. To repeat this experiment, the rechargeable
batteries need to be recharged and the nonrechargeable batteries should be returned to a
company that collects them, and new batteries
placed in the camera. Refer to Extension
Activity 1 for companies/organisations that
recycle batteries.
It can be anticipated that the rechargeable
batteries prove to be more energy ecient with
up to 600 photos possible. A Clean Up Australia
pilot of this project revealed rechargeable
batteries yield 28% more photos when
compared to non-rechargeable batteries.
After the experiment, discuss how well the
students predictions matched with the results
and share ideas about what was learnt.
For years 7 and 8, refer to Extension Activity 2
Energy Spend Formula for a battery energy
eciency exercise.
Curriculum Links: ACSSU074; ACSIS053/
ACSIS064; ACSIS215/ACSIS216; ACSSU219
Learning Stage: Middle to Upper Primary
Number of Photos Taken Tally

Non-rechargeable Rechargeable
Batteries
Batteries
Initial Experiment
First Repetition
Second Repetition
Total
Table 2: Results tally for Classroom Activity 4.

Page 8 of 13

Extension Activity 1
Battery Recycling Program
Aim: To show students how to correctly
dispose of household batteries, while providing
an environmentally responsible means of
disposal.
1. As a class discuss why it is important to
recycle batteries.
2. Currently there is no national battery recycling
scheme for primary batteries in Australia.
As a class, find out what local facilities or
services your school could access to run a
battery recycling program for your school
community. You could start the research
by visiting your school or local library,
contacting your local council or finding out
more information from one of the programs
listed (if they operate in your area).
Cleanaways Battery Recycling Programme:
This program collects rechargeable batteries
such as nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride
or lithium ion. These are most commonly
found in cordless phones, cordless drills,
mobile phones, laptops and PCs, shavers,
digital cameras and video cameras. To find out
more, call (07) 3367 7800 or visit cleanaway.
com.au/batteries
Battery World: Participating Battery World
stores will collect secondary/rechargeable
batteries. To find out if Battery World near
you is collecting batteries, call 13 17 60 or visit
www.batteryworld.com.au
IKEA: offers customers a used light bulb,
compact fluorescent and household battery
take back service. Customers can take used
batteries back to IKEA and deposit them in
the take-back containers, located just after the
checkouts. Visit www.ikea.com.au
Batteryback: Victorian residents can take
advantage of a free battery recycling program
for rechargeable batteries and household
single-use batteries. For further information
call 1800 353 233.
Clean Up Australia: Recycling your mobile

phone and battery is easy, request a free
satchel from Clean Up Australia by registering
on-line
http://mobile.cleanup.org.au/register.html
and then follow the instructions on the satchel
and send via freepost through Australia Post
to Clean Up Australias partner Australian
Recycling.
Local Council: Contact your local council or
community recycling facility to see if they have
any household battery recycling options.
3. Ask your battery recycler or local council
representative to give a brief talk to your
school about battery recycling and its
benefits to the environment. Students
and teachers will learn more about what
happens to their recycled batteries.
4. As a class complete the Worksheet: Battery
Recycling Program and discuss what ideas
students have developed.
5. Prioritise what actions the class will take
to develop the battery recycling program
and include a suggested timeline for
implementation
6. Ask small groups to discuss and agree on
some rules for managing each action of
the program.

Continued over
Page 9 of 13
Extension Activity 1 continued

7. If the whole school is going to participate
in the program nominate one teacher and
class to act as Leaders of the Program.
They will be in charge of collecting the
batteries from each classroom to monitor
progress. Each year the Leaders of the
Program can change.
8. Each class can be responsible for monitoring
and promoting the program within the
school and at home to parents. Each class
can develop a tracking poster to display the
number and weight of batteries they have
collected.
9. Ask students to observe and record the
battery recycling program using a method
of their choice including drawing, story,
picture, and photos. Students can be
encouraged to participate through the use
of competitions between classes.
10.Encourage students to reflect and include
their thoughts on how the class and
wider school community is helping the
environment by living more sustainably.
Advanced Extension Activity

Brainstorm with the class ideas on how
to implement a national battery recycling
program and facility in Australia. The following
questions may be asked.
Who will be involved?
How will the batteries be collected?
How will the batteries get from the
collection point to the recycling facility?
Where will the recycling plant
be located?
Where does the recycled material go?

Page 10 of 13
Worksheet: Battery Recycling Program

Your plan on setting up a battery recycling program.
1.
What is the goal of the program?
2.
What ideas do we have to set up the program?
3.
What tasks need to be completed?
4.
What teams should we set up to complete each task?
5.
Who will be in each team?
6.
How will we tell other students about the program?
7.
How will we measure the success of the program?

Page 11 of 13

Extension Activity 2
Energy Spend Formula
It is more economical to buy and recharge
rechargeable batteries for use in high drain
devices when compared with the use of nonrechargeable batteries for the same purpose.
Aim: To demonstrate to students an energy
spend formula for the use of rechargeable
batteries compared to the use of nonrechargeable batteries.
These statistics are based on actual data
from the 2010 Clean Up Battery Initiative in
partnership with SANYO Oceania.
The task: If a rechargeable battery takes 430
pictures, and a non-rechargeable battery takes
240 pictures, and I want to take 2,000 pictures,
what will the cheapest option be? What option
will be better for the environment?
Notes
Purchase price of rechargeable batteries
= $13.00.
Purchase price of non-rechargeable battery
= $3.00.
To recharge a rechargeable battery, here are
some important points.
- Battery capacity = 2000 milliamps
- It takes 10% capacity for 10 hours
to recharge, therefore
200 milliamps x 10hrs = 2000 milliamp hrs.
Formulas
Watt hours = volts x milliamps
Electricity cost = 17.1 cents / kWh
Watt hours x 1000 = kWh
1. Rechargeable battery cost
= (number recharges x cost each recharge)
x purchase price
If I want to take 2000 pictures and my battery
takes 430 pictures per recharge, how many
recharges do I need?
Pictures wanted = 2000 / 430,
so I need 4.7 recharges, rounded to 5.
What is the cost per recharge?

Electricity cost = 17.1cents per kWh
(Clean Up figure)
Watt hour = volts x amps
So, if I have a 1.5 volt battery and it has a
milliamp charge of 200
Watt hour = 1.5V x (200mlamp/1000)
= 0.3
We need 10 hours per charge.
Cost of kWh = 17.1cents / 1000
= 0.0171cents
Now times this by the number of Watt hrs (3)
= 0.0513cents
If we need 5 charges to get 2000 pictures,
the total cost is 0.0513 x 5 = 0.257 cents.
Add this recharge cost to the original
purchase price ($13.00) and total cost is:
$13.02 for 2000 pictures
2. Non-rechargeable battery cost
I want to take 2,000 pictures using nonrechargeable batteries. Non-rechargeable
batteries take 240 pictures.
Number of batteries needed
= number of pictures wanted /
number pictures a battery can take
= 2,000 / 240
= 8.3 rounded to 8
The cost of taking 2,000 pictures using nonrechargeable batteries is 8 x cost of battery
($3.00)
$24 for 2,000 pictures
Curriculum Links: Problem Solving
and Reasoning
Learning Stage: Upper Primary to
Years 7 and 8

Page 12 of 13
Sources &
Further
Information
Taking Charge of Battery Waste
G Magazine on line
www.gmagazine.com.au
Wastenet
Municipal Waste Advisory Council
Battery Avoidance Strategies
www.wastenet.net.au
Recycling Near You
www.recyclingnearyou.com.au
NSW Department of Environment, Climate
Change and Water
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/
Sanyo Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries
www.eneloop.info/
Waste Watch
www.wasteonline.org.uk
Australian Battery Recycling Initiative
www.batteryrecycling.org.au
Clean Up Australia
www.cleanup.org.au

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