Just imagine how many watch batteries are in use today and how many will be changed out and disposed of every year. The figures are in the hundreds of millions so the issue is indeed an important one. To understand just how serious the issue of battery recycling can be we must first look at how watch batteries are made and what potentially hazardous substances they contain.



Watch batteries are often referred to as button batteries or button cells. These batteries can contain any number of different substances, including lithium, mercury, cadmium, silver and other heavy metals. The recycling of these types of batteries, which can also be found in other types electronic devices like hearing aids, has proven to be a very profitable enterprise.

The heavy metals can be recovered and reused and since silver and lithium. The process can be expensive but it is worth the effort to recover these substances. Heavy metals like those found in many types modern batteries do not diminish if they are introduced in the environment.

The very nature of these substances means that they remain in the environment and never break down organically. For example, if heavy metals are introduced into a water source, fish and other aquatic animals may ingest the substance.

Since the substance concentrates in fatty tissues, humans and other carnivorous animals who consume the fish are also consuming the heavy metal, which in turn concentrates in our tissues. The body does not expel these substances very readily and they tend remain to remain in the body for years.

The more tainted food we consume the greater the concentration of heavy metals in out own bodies. When button batteries and other types of household batteries are placed into an unsealed landfill the case material eventually corrodes and the heavy metals inside leech into the surrounding soils and even down to the ground water. This contributes to environmental pollution and is very hard if not impossible to get rid of once it has leeched out.

Heavy metal contamination of living organisms can lead to a whole host of adverse health effects in many species, including humans. These adverse effects can range from birth defects to cancers and many other diseases.

Now that you have been sufficiently frightened by the possibilities, we can talk about how you can help keep these hazardous substances out of the environment and out of you. The most important thing is to get educated about safe disposal methods for batteries, including button cells. The best bet is to have your watch battery changed at a retailer that offered to recycle the old battery properly.

Many retailers that sell replacement watch batteries will install the new battery free of charge so do not feel like you are saving any money by replacing the old battery yourself. Many watches require special tooling to open the case that will not break waterproof seals like orings or otherwise mar the watches finish.

Many owners will try to use knife, screwdriver or similar tool to open the watch case and this practice very often results in damage to the watch. Then you are left what to do with the used battery. Taking your watch, even an inexpensive one, to a qualified retailer eliminates the possibility that you may damage your watch, but will also ensure the old battery can be properly recycled.