Waste manufacturing cost, proportion

Unlike lead-acid and silver oxide batteries, which have historically been collected and recycled due to their economic value, collection and recycling of general purpose batteries is currently undertaken at a cost to the waste generator. All responsible manufacturers whatever the industry, recognise a need to protect the environment and promote sustainable development. However this is rarely possible at zero cost. In the late 1980 s many battery systems still contain a significant proportion of toxic elements whose environmental impact after use needed to be controlled. 

---