• Moreleta Park Super Spar Recycling Project - We recycle Cans, Glass, Plastic, Paper, etc.  Cnr. Garsfontein & Rubenstein Street, Moreleta Park. Tel: 012 998 0583/4

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Think rechargeable
  By Theo Boshoff (Digital Life)
 
On a daily bases we hear the terms “be more green” and “think of the environment”, and we as consumers try to buy more environmentally friendly products and do the recycling thing. We sift through paper, glass and plastic, but what do we do with those harmful batteries and printer cartridges that need to be tossed out?

To make it easier for consumers to get rid of stuff that is harmful to the environment, contain heavy metals that really damage the planet, Pick n Pay, in conjunction with rechargeable battery maker Uniross, has formally launched in-store recycling collection bins.

According to the company, these bins will be available at its Hypermarket stores and selected corporate stores throughout the country to dump used batteries, plastic containers, ink cartridges and CFC light bulbs.

According to Michael Rogers, MD of Uniross, non-rechargeable batteries cannot be recycled and, therefore, the company is helping Pick n Pay to dispose of these in a safe manner, by casting them in concrete blocks.

Bronwen Rohland, Pick n Pay’s director of Sustainability, says Pick n Pay is trying to educate people about the harmfulness of non-rechargeable batteries in the hope that consumers will change to buying rechargeable batteries, which can be recycled.

“Currently it is estimated that the annual battery consumption in South Africa amounts to a staggering 50 million, more than 95% of which are disposable batteries, which means that 2 500 tons worth of batteries are added to our landfills every year,” Rogers adds.

To put it in perspective, one AA battery, it is said, can pollute up to 500 litres of water and one cubic metre of land for 50 years and a single rechargeable battery can replace up to 1 000 non-rechargeable batteries. Just think of how much this can help in preserving our planet for generations to come.

Uniross studies have revealed that rechargeable batteries have up to 32 times less impact on the environment than disposable batteries; 28 times less impact on global warming and 30 times less potential impact on air pollution. So, next time you reach for a pack of AAs for your remote control, think of that.
 

GENERAL RECYCLING INFO

• Recycle all your paper, glass, plastic, metals, etc.  Producing new paper, glass and metal products from recycled materials saves 70 to 90 percent of the energy and pollution that would result if the product came from virgin materials. Recycling a stack of newspapers only 4 feet high will save a good-sized tree.

• Whether you are at home, school or work, don't waste paper. Using both sides is a great way to save.
   

• Magazines:

  • Pull out articles/information/pictures for later reference

  • Save interesting pages for decorative wrap

  • Use magazine pages and covers for book covers

  • Use colourful paper for origami and other paper projects

  • Donate magazines to friends, senior citizens, convalescent hospitals, doctors' offices, hospital waiting rooms, etc.

• Avoid aerosol cans.  They have no practical reuse or recycling potential.  Instead, look for products like hair spray or room freshener that come in pump spray bottles that are recyclable.

• If you bring home shopping bags, reuse them as garbage bags or return them to the store for recycling.  Most supermarkets now have recycling bins for both plastic and paper bags.  Even better, bring your own cloth or mesh bag with you when you go shopping.

• Purchase products compatible with your neighbourhood recycling program.  Plan ahead and consider what you will be buying and where things will ultimately end up.

• Charity and nearly new shops, jumble sales and community schemes are good places to donate or sell second hand clothes, toys and furniture.  It is also well worth shopping at second hand outlets.

• Donate unwanted clothes, toys, or household goods to a charitable organization or homeless shelter.  Worn-out clothes can be turned into rags for household cleaning - just wash and reuse.

• Use containers again - buy food, drinks and toiletries in returnable containers and ask local shops to stock them.  Ask your school or workplace to provide reusable cups, plates, cutlery etc.

• Recycle your junk mail, screening it for non-recyclable items like magnets and membership cards. There are also several ways to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive, such as having your name removed from national mailing lists and broker lists.

• Styrofoam takes a long time to decompose. Instead of using Styrofoam cups, use glass or ceramic. If you receive Styrofoam peanut packaging, reuse it, or donate it to your local box or shipping company.

• The best environmental choice is to repair, restore or adapt a product you already have. You may need professional help but it could still be cheaper than something new - half of electrical goods left at dumps work or require only very basic repairs.

• Don't through away old computers or electronic parts and equipment.  Take it to a electronic recycling company / centre.  The components used in electronics is very toxic and currently most of it is ending up on dumping sites where it is poisoning the ground and even the underground water.   (Equipment to recycle: PC's, Printers, Notebooks, TV's, VCR's, DVD Players, Notebooks, walkmans, cell phones, PDA's, etc)   :: more ::

• Don't just through away old and empty printer cartridges.  Take it to be recycled and even get paid for it.  :: more ::

• Start with paper recycling at your office.  You can register here  :: more ::

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