A resident in Wuhan sends waste batteries to the battery collection counter in Zhongbai supermarket in Wuhan, Hubei province on Sunday, September 28, 2008. [cnhubei.com]

One hundred supermarkets began collecting waste batteries in Wuhan, Hubei province on Sunday, Chutian Metropolis Daily reports.

According to the new local policy, residents in Wuhan can send waste batteries to 100 Zhongbai supermarkets located in seven different districts at the price of 0.1 yuan per battery to exchange for daily necessities. The collected waste batteries will be carefully disposed and recycled.

Currently, fewer than two percent of waste batteries are recycled and most waste batteries are disposed of in landfill sites. If the waste batteries are disposed of properly, the metal recycled from 3,000 tons of waste batteries is worth the same amount as two medium-sized mines.

Most batteries contain heavy metals, which are the main cause of environmental concern. When disposed of incorrectly, these heavy metals can leak into the ground when the battery casing corrodes, contributing to soil and water pollution and endangering wildlife.

(CRI September 29, 2008)