"The House of Batteries"

(QBĐT) - Small and cute like a children's toy model, the "Battery Houses" present at An Nong Farm clean food store, No. 63 Ly Thuong Kiet Street (Dong Hoi City) or community activity spots in Duc Ninh Dong Ward have become gathering places for each expired battery. Behind the "Battery Houses" lies a very humane message, demonstrating the responsibility of each individual and community towards the living environment.

The Story of Batteries

“I am a small battery, a form of stored energy. When used by humans, I will transform from chemical energy into electrical energy. I exist next to humans and humans need me for their activities, providing energy to help electronic devices: computers, wall clocks, TV remotes, computer mice... to means of transportation, communication... One day, when my energy is exhausted, humans will replace me with other batteries and then throw me in the trash, mixed with many different types of trash or throw me into the environment without mercy. There is one thing that humans do not fully understand, although I run out of energy, I do not "die" but will exist in the living environment for up to 50 years, even more. And the components that make me up are very toxic, and will pollute the environment. If humans do not handle me properly, from a useful friend to humans, I will become their own enemy, an invisible enemy.”

“I myself contain heavy metals, such as: Lead, mercury, zinc, cadmium, lithium... If I am buried in the ground, the heavy metals from inside me will seep into the soil and groundwater, polluting the land and water sources. If people burn me, those harmful components will turn into toxic smoke. If I do not burn completely, the toxins remaining in the ash will pollute the air.”

“The amount of mercury contained in each battery like mine, which humans cannot fully imagine, can pollute 500 liters of water or 1m3 ^of land for up to 50 years. Mercury from pollution sources, entering the human body, causes damage to the brain, kidneys, cardiovascular system, reproductive function...”.

Duc Ninh Dong ward youth union members guide children to collect old batteries at the "Battery House".

“A small amount of lead in the body tends to replace all other metals in the human body. Lead will take the place of calcium in bones; take the place of zinc and calcium in proteins; replace calcium in brain electrical impulse transmission reactions; replace iron in the blood... Lead also disrupts or stops biochemical reactions in the human body, causing rickets, slow growth in children, high blood pressure in adults, damaging blood and bones...”

So, batteries like me - a very useful friend to humans - have become enemies of humans, causing many consequences for the living environment and human health, because of human negligence. I hope that humans will change their awareness, safely handle expired batteries by gathering us and sending us to the "Battery House"!

“The House of Batteries”

If you have time, let's visit the "Battery Houses" in Duc Ninh Dong Ward. When you go, bring along expired batteries from your family. There are currently 10 "Battery Houses" located in 8 cultural houses of residential groups, the ward cultural center and the ward People's Committee headquarters. This is an initiative of the ward's Youth Union, officially established in March 2023, and has been operating very effectively so far, becoming the first and only old battery collection model of Dong Hoi City's youth.

Secretary of the Duc Ninh Dong Ward Youth Union, Hoang Doan Thanh Nhan, said: In fact, all families, agencies and units use electronic devices that use batteries, such as: phones, watches, remote controls, motorbikes, electric bicycles...; the number of these devices tends to increase rapidly. However, many people do not know that used batteries and accumulators are not allowed to be stored together and treated like regular garbage because of the high toxicity of batteries.

Model of "House of batteries".

To help people understand correctly and fully the serious harms of used batteries, the “Battery House” model has a QR code attached so that people can learn about information as well as the process of handling old batteries. Every quarter, the Youth Union of Duc Ninh Dong Ward collects batteries at the “Battery Houses” and transports them to recycling sites. To date, thousands of old batteries have been collected, forming a habit of waste classification in residential areas, contributing to environmental protection.

Leaving Duc Ninh Dong ward, we visited the “Battery House” at An Nong Farm clean food store. In a display space full of clean products, Ms. Le Thi Thanh Thuy, owner of An Nong Farm clean food store, still reserved a small corner for the “Battery House”. In addition to finding a source of clean food, customers also come here to return expired batteries. The “Battery House” has been around for more than 2 years. Thousands of old batteries are collected here and sent for safe, proper treatment.

The “Battery House” at An Nong Farm clean food store or in Duc Ninh Dong ward has initially contributed to changing people’s awareness and habits. Many people are more aware of sorting waste at the source, especially hazardous waste such as expired batteries. And old batteries will be “confided” by everyone at the “Battery House”.

“With the message “Green agriculture . For a peaceful life!”, An Nong Farm is committed to contributing a small part to building a green life through providing clean food sources with clear origins for people, along with activities to reduce waste and protect the environment. The “Battery House” at the store is a testament to that, attracting many customers to participate,” said Ms. Le Thi Thanh Thuy.

Dragon Fruit

Source: https://baoquangbinh.vn/xa-hoi/202506/ngoi-nha-cua-pin-2226811/