Over time, technology has single-handedly revolutionized the way we live our daily lives. Technology can be found everywhere in the world, including schools, workplaces, stores, etc. One of the most common ways we power our technology is through the use of batteries. Many people do not think of batteries after thrown away, but batteries do have a huge impact on the environment, even after thrown away.

Our CapstoneExperience group is trying to raise awareness about batteries and what we classify as the improper disposal of them. Our group posted a survey that asked whether or not our peers consider simply throwing away batteries in the trashcan harmful to the environment. When we got back the results, out of many responses, only a few considered batteries to be a problem that we need to deal with.

“When I think of landfills, I imagine the garbage I throw away,” said Pratham Mehta, an eighth grade Rachel Carson student on the Yellow Jackets team. “For example, plastic bags, water bottles, napkins, etc.”

Although these are normal items that are thrown away, batteries are also a big problem.

One reason batteries are a severe issue is because of the many chemicals that batteries contain. When thrown away in the trash, these batteries are eventually crushed, which releases the various dangerous chemicals within them into the atmosphere. This harms our environment, leading to the death of many ecosystems and animals. If this continues, then soon, all of the world’s ecosystems will be endangered. We definitely need to help.

One way our group is trying to help the community is by informing them how to correctly throw away batteries. We are also telling the school to give us their dead batteries. One way students can give us batteries is by putting batteries in our disposal area that will be located in the cafeteria. After collecting dead batteries from classmates, we will then give these batteries to Batteries Plus Bulbs, located in Sully Place Shopping Center, Chantilly, VA. Batteries Plus Bulbs is a store that properly collects and disposes batteries.

“Wow, I never knew that there a stores that will correctly throw away my batteries,” said Sagar Gupta, a Rachel Carson student on the Dolphins team. “Next time, I will definitely throw away my batteries at a specialized place.”