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Carried out in 2007, the UNIROSS study constitutes the first worldwide study
comparing disposable batteries1 with Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.
Performed
by Bio Intelligence Service for UNIROSS, this study was based on a comparative
life cycle analysis between disposable batteries and rechargeable batteries.
Rechargeable batteries: up to 32 times less impact on the
environment than disposable batteries
The UNIROSS study focuses on
11 indicators of potential impacts on the environment. The challenge of these
indicators is to express the environmental impact of the product throughout its
life cycle.
The main origins of environmental impact are:
• for
rechargeable batteries: the production and use phases (charge cycles);
• for
disposable batteries: mainly the production phase (between 70 and 100%).
In a context in which consumers are increasingly attentive to modes of
consumption which combine performances and responsibility, rechargeable
batteries have come to be seen as a veritable alternative to disposable
batteries.
Battery impact on 5 key indicators
Bio
Intelligence Service adopted the 5 main environmental impact indicators with the
widest scope out of the total of 11 studied. The 5 indicators are: consumption
of natural
For 1 kWh of energy produced, rechargeable batteries
have:
23 times less potential impact on non-renewable
natural resources
This indicator translates the decreasing
availability of natural resources. Rechargeable batteries consume up to 23 times
less non-renewable natural resources (fossil and mineral) than disposable
batteries. To provide the same amount of energy, more disposable batteries are
needed than rechargeable batteries. This implies a greater consumption of
natural resources.
28 times less potential impact on global
warming
Climate change means an increase in the average temperature
of the earth’s surface caused by an increase in the greenhouse gas effect.
Rechargeable batteries have up to 28 times less impact on climate warming than
disposable batteries. This ratio can mainly be explained by the impact caused
when manufacturing disposable batteries and distributing them (transportation in
trucks and the related greenhouse gas emissions).
30 times less
potential impact on air pollution (ozone pollution)
Photochemical
oxidation is responsible for peaks of ozone and emissions of compounds toxic to
man. Rechargeable batteries have up to 30 times less impact on ozone pollution
than disposable batteries.
9 times less potential impact on air acidification
The air acidification indicator consists in the accumulation of acidifying
substances in the atmosphere particules. Deposited in ecosystems by rain, they
have a strong impact on soil and ecosystems. Rechargeable batteries have up to 9
times less impact on air acidification than disposable batteries.
12 times less potential impact on water pollution
The
sedimentary ecotoxicity indicator evaluates potential toxic risks due to the
emission of chemicals into aquatic ecosystems. Rechargeable batteries have up to
12 times less potential toxic risks for fresh water and sea water sediments.
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