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Please add updates@feedmyinbox.com to your address book to make sure you receive these messages in the future. green.yahoo.com Which batteries to recycle, which to trash October 29, 2009 at 9:00 am Stephen O'Shea asks: My high school has been collecting a large quantity of used household batteries with the intention of having them recycled. But when I contacted the local recycling agencies, they said these types of batteries are just considered trash. Before I dump them in the trash, do you know anymore about this? Manna Jo Greene replies: Rechargeables need to be recycled: Nickel-cadmium and ni-metal hydride batteries are made with heavy metals. In early 90s, I served on the New York State Battery Task Force and we (collectively those working on battery issues) got the industry to stop using mercury in alkaline, single-use AAA, AA, A, C, and D batteries as an antioxidant (Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act of 1996). So these batteries are not toxic per se, but do contain a metal (steel) casing and can technically be recycled with scrap metal if you have a metal can full of them, but make sure they are fully discharged. Also, do not close the storage container tightly as they can give off some hydrogen.  Most people just put these safely into the trash. It's lead, NiCd, NiMH, and lithium batteries that are toxic. Mercuric oxide, rare specialty batteries are not used by general public, but must be recycled. Zinc air and silver oxide are substitutes. Silver oxide batteries contain silver, a precious metal, and should be recycled and can be easily. Lead acid batteries (for autos) must be recycled, and there is a rebate in N.Y. when you trade them in. Lithium batteries are highly reactive and should be recycled. In summary, rechargeables and button cells can and should be recycled, single-use can be tossed. More info on battery recycling. Manna Jo Greene is the environmental director of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. More from The Daily Green The Art of Upcycling: Cardboard Sculpture One-of-a-Kind Recycled Home Decor Incredible Homes Made From Shipping Containers 13 Cool Things Made From Recycled Bottles What Do Recycling Symbols on Plastic Mean? Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc Solar projects battling for water October 28, 2009 at 8:34 pm Construction of renewable energy projects has revealed some serious environmental issues that will have to be dealt with as we speed toward a clean energy future.  We recently wrote about the conflict between land conservation efforts and renewable energy projects in deserts out west.  Land that is ideal for solar energy production is also pristine land in need of protection. In California, a similar conflict is arising between solar projects and water conservation.  Solar farms demand a lot of water, a resource that is stretched very thin in the arid areas where they're being developed.  A large solar farm can use upwards of 500 million gallons of water a year for cooling purposes and there are currently 35 big projects slated for development in California desert. A "dry cooling" technique exists that uses 90 percent less water than "wet cooling," but it's more expensive and reduces the efficiency of the solar plant.  Even so, some plants are giving in and going the dry route. Solar plants are fighting with state regulators to get the water they need.  Some are succeeding, while others are failing.  Just with land conservation, there doesn't seem to be one right side here.  Ideally, a new technique for cooling will be developed that doesn't require large amounts of water or a dip in efficiency. via Green Inc.   This email was sent to topi.ireng@gmail.com.  Create Your Account Don't want to receive this feed any longer? Unsubscribe here.