Cobalt (Co) is a chemical element that is found in lithium-ion batteries. These types of batteries are essential to our everyday lives—from our smartphones to our cars, cobalt lithium-ion batteries are found in millions of electronic devices. However, the cost of using cobalt batteries isn’t necessarily monetary.
In order to make cobalt batteries, miners must extract the element from the land. Cobalt mining is often unethical, harming not only the environment but the workers who risk their lives extracting this chemical.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how cobalt is mined.
How Is Cobalt Mined?
Cobalt comes from the earth in the form of mined metals. Open-pit mining is the most common method of extracting this element for batteries. These mines are predominantly located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where cobalt is extracted and sold to be used in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries. While the Congo has a tremendous amount of natural resources which help supply the world with energy, the individuals mining this product suffer greatly due to the makeshift conditions in which they operate.
Considering the fact that cobalt is extremely toxic and releases harmful emissions into the environment, mining of this material poses a major health concern for individuals living near cobalt mines. Children that are born in these mining areas can suffer both physiological and neurological damage from excess exposure to the element.
Miners of this element spend long days mining in dangerous conditions where they are overworked, extremely underpaid, and have little to no rights. It’s not uncommon for children to work in the mines, whether out of necessity to help provide for their families or as forced labor.
As more companies slowly become aware of the toll that their batteries are having on the environment and workers, some are starting to switch to greener alternatives such as manganese-based batteries. However, as long as cobalt batteries are in demand, cobalt batteries are mined and unethical working and environmental conditions continue.
Interested in Sustainable Chemical Solutions??
At Ecolink, we are committed to providing companies in various industries with greener chemical alternatives. Not only are our products a safer choice, but they are cost-effective and available to buy in bulk sizing options.
Start shopping for industrial-grade chemicals on our website, or reach out to one of our expert team members today to learn more about our high-quality products!
How Are Cobalt Batteries Mined?
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersCobalt (Co) is a chemical element that is found in lithium-ion batteries. These types of batteries are essential to our everyday lives—from our smartphones to our cars, cobalt lithium-ion batteries are found in millions of electronic devices. However, the cost of using cobalt batteries isn’t necessarily monetary.
In order to make cobalt batteries, miners must extract the element from the land. Cobalt mining is often unethical, harming not only the environment but the workers who risk their lives extracting this chemical.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how cobalt is mined.
How Is Cobalt Mined?
Cobalt comes from the earth in the form of mined metals. Open-pit mining is the most common method of extracting this element for batteries. These mines are predominantly located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where cobalt is extracted and sold to be used in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries. While the Congo has a tremendous amount of natural resources which help supply the world with energy, the individuals mining this product suffer greatly due to the makeshift conditions in which they operate.
Considering the fact that cobalt is extremely toxic and releases harmful emissions into the environment, mining of this material poses a major health concern for individuals living near cobalt mines. Children that are born in these mining areas can suffer both physiological and neurological damage from excess exposure to the element.
Miners of this element spend long days mining in dangerous conditions where they are overworked, extremely underpaid, and have little to no rights. It’s not uncommon for children to work in the mines, whether out of necessity to help provide for their families or as forced labor.
As more companies slowly become aware of the toll that their batteries are having on the environment and workers, some are starting to switch to greener alternatives such as manganese-based batteries. However, as long as cobalt batteries are in demand, cobalt batteries are mined and unethical working and environmental conditions continue.
Interested in Sustainable Chemical Solutions??
At Ecolink, we are committed to providing companies in various industries with greener chemical alternatives. Not only are our products a safer choice, but they are cost-effective and available to buy in bulk sizing options.
Start shopping for industrial-grade chemicals on our website, or reach out to one of our expert team members today to learn more about our high-quality products!
Benefits of Cobalt-Free Batteries for the Environment
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersCobalt is a chemical element that is one of the essential materials used to create the lithium-ion battery that’s used in everything from remotes to computers. However, the popularity of this element is decreasing due to how expensive it is. Many manufacturers are making the switch to cobalt-free batteries that work just as well if not better than batteries with this material.
While cost is one of the main reasons manufacturers are choosing batteries without cobalt, environmental reasons are also important. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the benefits of cobalt-free batteries for the environment.
What Are the Benefits of Using Batteries Without Cobalt?
Cobalt mines exist in several parts of the world and are extremely damaging to the environment. Mining releases large quantities of carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions into the air, which is dangerous to all living beings—including humans. Those who live near or work in a cobalt mine are put at a higher risk of excess exposure and serious consequences to their health.
When companies use less harmful materials to create cobalt-free batteries, they are helping…
One of the less toxic elements that are replacing cobalt in more eco-friendly batteries is manganese. Here are some of the reasons why manganese-based batteries are a better choice:
Since cobalt batteries have been used for several years, it’ll take time for some companies to jump on board and switch to greener alternatives. However, many car companies are beginning to implement eco-friendly battery options into their manufacturing processes, showing other companies that it’s possible to make the switch.
Are you Looking for Eco-Friendly Chemicals for Your Company?
Let Ecolink be your trusted chemical provider. For decades, we’ve supplied companies with greener chemical alternatives in bulk quantities. Want to learn more about how our products can help your business? Reach out to us today for a free consultation!
Why Was BioSafe 1025 Discontinued?
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersResin and coating solvents are notorious for their strength and reliability since they are depended on by many workers to weaken and strip various tough coatings. Unfortunately, most of these solvents come with a dangerous cost, as they are usually highly toxic to both humans and the environment.
One example of these risky solvents is BioSafe 1025, which was eventually discontinued, presumably because of the health hazards and environmental risks associated with the product.
Why Was Biosafe 1025 Discontinued?
Though BioSafe 1025 was relied on by many companies for removing resins and coatings, the product possessed multiple hazards:
Are there any Safer Alternatives?
Since many relied on this product before its discontinuation, they may be looking for a safer alternative that is just as effective.
One example of the ideal replacement for BioSafe 1025 is Safe Strip, an environmentally preferred paint and resin solvent. Not only is Safe Strip safer for the environment, but it creates a significantly safer work environment with its desirable characteristics:
With the formulation of a product like Safe Strip, companies no longer have to compromise worker and environmental safety for quality, as Safe Strip balances the effectiveness of traditional solvents with environmentally-friendly characteristics.
Looking to Purchase Safe Strip for Your Business or Industrial Needs?
Click here to check out the Safe Strip product page or to purchase, or click here to reach out to our staff at Ecolink with any questions regarding our products.
Discover the Benefits of Safe Strip Paint Remover
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersHundreds of companies and workers around the world depend on paint removing chemicals to strip various coatings from desired surfaces, whether to check for cracks beneath paints or to revamp an old paint job. Sadly, a majority of these paint strippers are highly toxic and harmful to both the environment and the workers using them, as the main ingredient in them is dichloromethane, also known as methylene chloride.
To learn more about the negative effects of dichloromethane and how to find a safer alternative for your paint and coating removal needs, read on.
Why Is Dichloromethane Unsafe?
Though effective as a paint stripping chemical, dichloromethane presents multiple risks to human health and the environment, including but not limited to:
Why Should I Use Safe Strip Paint Remover Instead?
Some may believe that eco-friendly paint removers are not as effective as traditional paint removing chemicals, but this is not the case with a product like Safe Strip, which balances the effective performance of traditional paint strippers and environmentally/worker friendly characteristics.
Utilizing Safe Strip paint remover over other harmful paint removers provides many beneficial characteristics:
With these desirable qualities, companies no longer need to choose between quality and worker safety when looking for a paint remover.
Looking to Purchase an Eco-Friendly Coating/Paint Remover?
If you are looking to purchase Safe Strip for your business or industrial needs, you are in the perfect place! Here at Ecolink, we provide chemicals for companies looking to create safer work environments without compromising quality.
Click here to check out the Safe Strip product page and purchase, or reach out to specialized staff with any questions. We offer a free quote and consultation to help your company find the chemicals and quantities perfect for your needs!
Why Should I Use Safe Strip vs BioSafe 1025?
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersTraditional paint and resin removers are powerful solvents utilized to easily penetrate layers of a coating, cause it to swell, and significantly weaken the coating’s adhesion to a surface.
Though these traditional solvents are reliable, they are outdated in terms of their negative effects on both the environment and humans. There is simply no need to rely on these hazardous solvents, not when modern products like Safe Strip exist.
In this blog post, we will explore Safe Strip and its benefits by comparing it to a hazardous paint and resin solvent, BioSafe 1025.
Safe Strip vs BioSafe 1025: Health Impacts
BioSafe 1025, which is now discontinued due to the risks associated with its use, possessed numerous health hazards, including but not limited to:
Unlike BioSafe 1025, Safe Strip is non-flammable and has a significantly lower Inhalation Hazard Index than most hazardous solvents, making it much safer for commercial and industrial applications. Safe Strip was formulated with the purpose of replacing hazardous solvents like BioSafe 1025 to create a safer work place environment and cause less harm to the environment.
Safe Strip vs BioSafe 1025: Environmental Impacts
Though ecological toxicity levels for BioSafe 1025 are relatively low, the product was still classified as hazardous waste and was not formulated to be environmentally friendly. Safe Strip, on the other hand, has numerous environmentally friendly characteristics, including:
Additionally, Safe Strip is effective on all coatings and requires only one step to remove various coatings. The product has powerful stripping qualities, comparable to MEK and methylene chloride, but not nearly as toxic.
Looking to Purchase an Eco-Friendly Coating/Paint Remover?
If you are looking to purchase Safe Strip for your business or industrial needs you are in the perfect place! You can click here to purchase Safe Strip today, or you can click here to reach out to Ecolink staff regarding any questions concerning our products!