Lithium is an essential resource used in the manufacturing of rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries. Found in everything from smartphones to pacemakers, modern technology relies on lithium to keep our devices charged and working.
While rechargeable batteries may seem like an eco-friendly idea, there is a high environmental cost associated with lithium batteries. The environmental impact of lithium mining is quite negative and contributes to harmful emissions in the atmosphere, water pollution, and more.
In this blog post, we’re going to take a closer look at how lithium is mined and why it’s harmful to the environment.
What Is Lithium Mining?
There are a couple of different ways that Lithium is mined from the Earth. For example, Australia is the leading lithium supplier in the world, and mines this element from ore mining. Other leading suppliers on a global scale such as Chile, extract this material from salars, or underground lakes/pools.
No matter how the lithium is extracted, it is sold to manufacturers who use the element to make batteries. These batteries end up in popular technology such as:
- Computers
- Mobile phones
- Digital cameras
- Electric vehicles
- Calculators
- Hearing aids
- & more
While mining may provide job opportunities for locals, the negative environmental impacts these mines have on the surrounding areas often outweigh any pros.
Reasons Why Lithium Mining Is Bad for the Environment
- Releases Harmful Emissions
When mining for this element, excess amounts of carbon dioxide are released into the environment and contribute to greenhouse gases.
- Pollutes Water Sources
Nearby streams, rivers, lakes, and other water sources often become polluted with chemicals used to complete the extraction process, harming all living organisms that rely on that water source in one way or another.
- Produces Large-Scale Mining Waste
Mining for this element is not sustainable and leaves behind harmful chemical byproducts that can take generations to go away, but not before depleting fertile land.
- Wastes Millions of Gallons of Water
Approximately 500,000 gallons of water are used to extract one ton of Li. This water is rarely if ever reused, and decreases the amount of water available to local agriculture farms.
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Is Lithium Mining Worse Than Oil Drilling?
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersLithium and oil are two resources that we rely on daily. From the batteries in our mobile phones to the oil in our cars, lithium, and oil are essential elements in our society. But while we are exposed to devices and machines that require these substances daily, not everyone is aware of the environmental impact associated with lithium mining and oil drilling.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the mining and drilling processes required to extract these two elements in order to determine which one is worse for the environment.
What Is Lithium Mining?
In order to extract lithium from the earth, it must be mined from either an open mine or a salt desert known as a salar. Using heavy-duty machinery and a variety of chemicals, lithium is extracted from the ground and sold to manufacturers as the main material used to create rechargeable batteries. Lithium batteries are found in…
While lithium is an essential material found in many of our technological devices, the mining of this element is extremely harmful to the environment and can cause:
What Is Oil Drilling?
Oil drilling refers to a complex process that involves the extraction of oil from the ground by drilling a large hole deep below the Earth’s surface. The well of oil is removed with specifically manufactured machinery and requires certain chemicals throughout the extraction process.
Oil extracted from the drilling process is used to…
Like with lithium, oil has a variety of uses that we rely on in our daily lives whether we realize it or not. These two substances are also similar, in the sense that the extraction processes are harmful to the environment. Here are the consequences associated with drilling for oil:
Lithium Mining vs. Oil Drilling: Which Is Worse?
Both of these extraction processes are bad for the environment. Not only do they both release harmful emissions into the atmosphere and land, but they also pollute waterways and deplete land fertility.
When it comes to deciding which process is worse, the answer points to drilling oil. The justification of this answer is based on the fact that drilling oil has been occurring for far longer than lithium mining, but the mining of lithium is just the lesser of two evils…for now.
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What Is the Environmental Impact of Lithium Mining?
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersLithium is an essential resource used in the manufacturing of rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries. Found in everything from smartphones to pacemakers, modern technology relies on lithium to keep our devices charged and working.
While rechargeable batteries may seem like an eco-friendly idea, there is a high environmental cost associated with lithium batteries. The environmental impact of lithium mining is quite negative and contributes to harmful emissions in the atmosphere, water pollution, and more.
In this blog post, we’re going to take a closer look at how lithium is mined and why it’s harmful to the environment.
What Is Lithium Mining?
There are a couple of different ways that Lithium is mined from the Earth. For example, Australia is the leading lithium supplier in the world, and mines this element from ore mining. Other leading suppliers on a global scale such as Chile, extract this material from salars, or underground lakes/pools.
No matter how the lithium is extracted, it is sold to manufacturers who use the element to make batteries. These batteries end up in popular technology such as:
While mining may provide job opportunities for locals, the negative environmental impacts these mines have on the surrounding areas often outweigh any pros.
Reasons Why Lithium Mining Is Bad for the Environment
When mining for this element, excess amounts of carbon dioxide are released into the environment and contribute to greenhouse gases.
Nearby streams, rivers, lakes, and other water sources often become polluted with chemicals used to complete the extraction process, harming all living organisms that rely on that water source in one way or another.
Mining for this element is not sustainable and leaves behind harmful chemical byproducts that can take generations to go away, but not before depleting fertile land.
Approximately 500,000 gallons of water are used to extract one ton of Li. This water is rarely if ever reused, and decreases the amount of water available to local agriculture farms.
Interested in Switching to Eco-Friendly Chemicals?
Ecolink is proud to provide companies with greener alternatives to harsh chemicals. Our products are responsibly sourced and manufactured with the environment and our customer’s satisfaction in mind.
Want to know how your company can benefit from switching to eco-friendly chemicals?
Reach out to us today to learn more!
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.
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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.
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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.