|
I'd always thought that the volume of regular lead-acid car batteries made and disposed of each year overshadowed (by far!) the number of hybrid batteries made and disposed of each year (even if you account for the fact that the hybrid batteries have more cells)... and so the *real* concern should be about all those lead acid batteries being dumped... if that were the case then most of us would be suffering from lead poisoning now... but it doesn't seem to be the case... how come? Isn't it because recycling the lead-acid batteries is so prevalent?
Certainly the likelihood of an individual changing their own lead acid battery and dumping the old one in a ditch or a landfill is much greater than an individual changing their own hybrid battery. And certainly the ability to recycle hybrid batteries is even greater (and more cost effective since the metals are more desirable for new hybrid batteries) than it is for the lead acid batteries. So why is there this fear that hybrid batteries will not be disposed of properly?
I admit I'm not familiar with the pollution associated with the manufacture of heavy metals... is that unique to the manufacture of hybrid batteries or is it specific to certain unethical manufacturers that are illegally polluting or ... ? I'd be surprised if auto manufacturers purchase products from manufacturers that are known to pollute (aside from the oil companies, of course... but even they are under a great deal of scrutiny).
__________________
|