Taipei encourages residents to recycle batteries to help protect environment

The well-received “recycling battery for rewards” program organized by Taipei City’s Department of Environmental Protection has returned

Taiwan News 
Date: 2018/05/06
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)–The well-received “recycling battery for rewards” program organized by Taipei City’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has returned.

The DEP said that from now through May 31, residents who drop off their old batteries at the environmental education house in Shanshuilu Eco Park will receive prizes such as stainless steel chopsticks, drink carriers, and scrub sponges

The rewards will be based on the number of batteries recycled:

• 100 batteries for a pack of chopsticks
• 50 batteries for a drink carrier
• 10 batteries for a scrub sponge

The DEP said that batteries contain a number of heavy metals (e.g. cadmium, lithium, and nickel) and toxic substances which can lead to soil and groundwater contamination if not disposed of properly. The agency advises the public to keep old batteries in an empty container to avoid accidental leaking before taking them to the recycling truck or depot.    [FULL  STORY]