battery recycling helps to save resources allowing for the recovery of valuable metals such as nickel, cobalt, and silver;

the use of recycled metals in batteries requires lower energy consumption.

For example: the use of recycled cadmium and nickel requires 46% and 75%, respectively, less primary energy than the extraction and refinement of natural state metals; for zinc, the proportion of energy required for recycling compared to the energy required for the extraction of primary resources is 2.2 to 8.

Portable batteries and accumulators contain toxic chemicals like: mercury, lead, nickel, cadmium, and lithium that have a bad effect on human health. Disposed together with other household waste, the chemicals in the batteries and accumulators contaminate water.

Metals in batteries may cause allergies, sterility, losses of memory, heart diseases, cancer.

Mercury is the most hazardous chemical in the batteries. For example, a button battery can pollute 500 litres of water or 1 square meter of soil for a period of 50 years.

Mercury in contact with water forms a carcinogen compound (methylmercury) that affects the nervous system and the kidney.

1 out of 6 new born babies is exposed to a level of mercury so high that there is a major risk that he/she could develop learning disabilities and short term memory losses affecting thus his/her IQ level.

Lead is another hazardous chemical that affects the nervous system, and the urinary and reproductive systems. In addition, as result of incinerating waste, lead can be carried away on very long distances by air currents.

Nickel affects skin by direct contact; besides, once released in the air and inspired it causes inflammation of airways and lung cancer.

Cadmium is a carcinogen chemical that causes severe injuries if ingested or inspired.

Also, lithium intoxication results in severe effects for the nervous system, kidneys, airways and heart.