In asking the public to pay 50 cents per pound to dispose of batteries, the city is encouraging people to throw their batteries in the trash – jeopardizing lands that already are damaged because of the mining industry. If my supposition is correct, the city of Durango will eventually be faced with reclamation projects costing millions of dollars.

What do you think most residents would do if they were offered, free, convenient drop off locations such as at City Market, Walmart or Home Depot and the post office? I suggest that they would be most willing to drop off their used batteries responsibly and properly – just as many now do with their plastic shopping bags.

Until there are no single-use alkaline batteries manufactured and sold – only rechargeable batteries – I feel strongly that it is the responsibility of the governors of our lands to be accountable and responsible in making the system as user-friendly as possible to ensure proper disposal of batteries. And while the city of Durango may incur a small fee to do so, I encourage the council to think longer term about the costs to clean up the toxic waste in 20 years. The city may avoid the cost of proper disposal in the short run but will thereby increase reclamation costs, while decreasing property value and the commitment to health, environment and wellness that brings so many people to Durango to live and to visit. Are these trade-offs that we really want to make?

Emily Everett

Durango