Adventures in learning how to treat our Earth more gently and our bodies well, while still enjoying a life filled with good things.
Using technology for good instead of evil: rechargeable batteries
By Coralie, on May 4th, 2009 at 07.07 PM
Category: With so many marvellous portable devices around these days (and I do so love a good gadget), a store of batteries has become a staple in the second drawer from the bottom, or if you have a kid around, perhaps situated a little higher.
Use rechargeable batteries
Many people still use normal old alkaline batteries for everything. They certainly do have their place, but in most cases, you can find rechargeable batteries that will do the same job. Some rechargeable batteries aren’t perfect for all jobs, though. Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries are a great option, but they do self-discharge in a few months, even if they’re sitting there not being used. So they’re not useful for things that aren’t used very often, yet still need to be ready at a moment’s notice, such as smoke alarms.
Using a battery just once is obviously rather wasteful, so use good quality rechargeables where you can and invest in a decent charger that will charge your batteries quickly so you can have them ready to use when you need them.
Plan ahead
The best way to use rechargeables is to have a small store of them so that you will always have charged ones at the ready. If you have too many, they’ll self-discharge before you get to use them and you’ll end up using non-rechargeables because you need that battery now. Keeping track of how often you need to put fresh batteries into a device will help you plan accordingly, enabling you to have your batteries charged ahead of time, but not so far in advance that they’ll self-discharge before you get to use them.
Do your research and choose carefully
When using Lithium-ion type portable chargers or batteries—often used for mobile phones and other small devices—look for Lithium-Polymer (Li-Pol) instead of Lithium-Ion (Li-ion). Some Li-Pol battery makers/suppliers claim that they last longer before they start to hold less charge. Assuming this is true, then you’ll be able to use a Li-Pol battery for a lot longer before it needs replacing.
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Consider all the cordless electronics used daily that are powered by rechargeable batteries: laptops, cell phones, cordless phones, mp3 players, digital cameras, camcorders, power tools, two-radios, cordless vacuums, electric toothbrushes, electric razors, just to name a few.
While these aren’t AA or AAA size, they are rechargeable batteries of the same chemistry mentioned in the article.
Rechargeable batteries can be charged up to 1,000 times and last between 2-5 years. All small household rechargeable batteries can be 100% recycled after they can no longer hold a proper charge at http://www.call2recycle.org. Type in your zip code to find convenient and free neighborhood drop off locations.
The batteries are shipped to a facility in Pennsylvania. They are melted down, reusable metals extracted for use in stainless steel production and new rechargeable batteries. All recycling process occurs in North America. Nothing goes to the landfill.
It takes quite some searching to find battery recycling places around here (in Australia). I have yet to find one, but it’s on my list of things to do. I hope those in the USA can make use of the service you’ve pointed to. Thanks, Theresa.