DISPOSAL OF BATTERIES IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE: FEASIBILITY AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

Batteries have heavy and toxic metals in their composition, which are very harmful to the environment, being responsible for polluting the soil and groundwater. This happens mainly because batteries release lead, cadmium and mercury when incorrectly disposed of in irregular landfills or garbage in general. In addition to contaminants, the disposal of batteries in common garbage can also affect the health of living beings. Therefore, the objective of this work is to analyze the impacts caused by the improper disposal of batteries. The methodology was developed through the method of deductive procedure, through bibliographical and documentary research. From the study, it was possible to verify that, although there are specific laws in Brazil that deal with the collection and recycling of batteries discarded by consumers, there is still a lack of awareness of society, companies and the state, and it is still very usual to discard these polluting materials in common garbage, which must create awareness policies and techniques to improve the recycling of these materials that directly harm the population and the environment.