Use Rechargeable Batteries

Quick Facts Affordability Cost Savings CO2 Reduction		Rechargeable batteries offer economic and environmental benefits compared to disposable ones. Most rechargeable battery types are available in the same sizes as disposables. Affordability While rechargeable batteries have a higher up-front cost than disposable batteries, rechargeable batteries can be discharged and recharged many times, saving you the cost and hassle of constantly buying new ones. Cost savings A pack of four rechargeable batteries costs about $20 and a battery charger costs about $10 to $30. Each rechargeable battery can be charged 500 to a 1,000 times. Factoring in the charger, a set of four rechargeable AA batteries will cost around $50 for their serviceable life. Over the same time period, a comparable set of heavy-duty disposables with a discounted price of about $2 would cost $1,000 to $2,000. Health & comfort If you use rechargeables, you always have batteries on hand, and you can quickly recharge them if they are spent. Environmental consideration Compared to using disposable batteries, rechargeables reduce the amount toxic materials in landfills, and therefore reduce the toxics that can leak into soil, groundwater and other water bodies.

What you need to know

Tips to getting the most out of your rechargeable batteries

• Keep track of your rechargeables. Due to their small size, batteries are easy to lose. If you misplace them and are forced to keep buying more, you will not reap the benefits of rechargeables. Keep them in a central, organized storage place. An easy way to keep track of the age of the battery is to write on the purchase date when you acquire them.
• Keep them out of extreme heat. Avoid using the batteries at high temperatures and store out of direct sunlight.
• Recharge regularly.
• Plug your chargers into a surge protector to not only protect the charger, but to reduce the chances of an electrical surge acting to confuse your charger during a charge cycle.
• Overcharging batteries can damage them.
• Recycle your rechargeable batteries when they are worn out. Don't put them in your household garbage.
• Check out the Buying Green resources section for more information.

Common battery types

• Alkaline: Disposable or dry-cell batteries are usually the alkaline type. They used to contain very high levels of mercury, but the amounts used have decreased over several decades and some brands use none at all. Still, many do contain a small amount of mercury. Given the massive waste involved, these should be avoided or, at the very least, recycled. Rechargeable alkaline batteries are also available, but these perform poorly, will cost you more in the long run and will create more waste.
• Nickel Cadmium (NiCd): NiCd batteries have long lifecycles and hold electrical charge longer. However, NiCDs are not generally considered "environmentally friendly" as they contain cadmium, a highly toxic heavy metal.
• Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH): There are several reasons why NiMH may be the better choice than NiCD batteries. NiCd batteries contain cadmium, a highly toxic heavy metal, whereas, according to the U.S. EPA, NiMH batteries are non-toxic. NiMHs are available with more total energy storage capacity than NiCds and can be charged more quickly than NiCds. Finally, NiMH are not plagued by the "memory" effect that reduces the life of NiCds when not fully drained before recharging.
• Low Self Discharge NiMH (LSD): LSDs are also known as "ready to use" NiMH batteries because they do not require you to charge them out of the package. LSDs are generally better for electronics that do not have a high drain factor (like a digital camera) or for devices that are not used very frequently.
• Lithium-ion: Lithium-ion batteries are newer, lesser-developed types of rechargeable batteries used in many consumer electronics and have one of the best energy-to-mass ratios, no memory effect and a slow loss of charge when not in use. They are considered more environmentally friendly than even NiMH batteries in that they contain even less toxic materials. The popularity of Lithium-ion has spread as their technology continues to improve.

Taking it further

• Use a solar charger to reduce your environmental impact even further.

FAQ

Can you use rechargeable batteries in all devices that typically use alkaline batteries?
Yes, you can substitute higher capacity NiMH rechargeables into most devices that use standard alkaline batteries. Ideally, rechargeable batteries should be substituted in high drain devices like digital cameras, MP3 players, portable electronics, etc. Since rechargeables lose their charge more quickly when stored, alkaline batteries may be better suited for slow-drain devices such as nonrechargeable emergency flashlights or smoke detectors.


How long does it take to recharge batteries?
There are a variety of chargers that allow you to recharge at different rates: from value priced overnight chargers to high-speed chargers that charge batteries in half the time. The fastest time available is just under 60 minutes, while the average charger takes seven to 10 hours to fully charge a NiMH battery. The best way to manage your power needs is to have two sets of rechargeable batteries so you can have a spare set ready to use anytime. That way, you will never run out. Some manufacturers also offer in-car chargers so that you can recharge at home or on the road.


Can all types of rechargeable batteries be charged in the same battery charger?
A classic battery charger can handle either NiMH or NiCd batteries. A NiMH charger usually works with NiCad cells, but not vice versa. Most battery chargers are designed to work with AA or AAA batteries. Some higher-end models charge all sizes of batteries. NiMH and NiCad batteries can also be charged in solar battery chargers. Lithium-ion batteries, however, require different chargers that are also available in a solar model.


What can I do with exhausted rechargeable batteries?
Once your rechargeable batteries no longer keep their charge, you can take them to any of the following participating retailers: London Drugs, the Source by Circuit City, Radio Shack Canada, Staples Business Depots and Zellers. Call the RCBC Recycling Hotline or visit the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation to find a drop-off location in your community.