Recharge, Reuse, Recycle: The Best Battery Options

Posted: 27-Nov-2002; Updated: 27-May-2005

The holidays are fast approaching, and you've found the perfect gift for your hard-to-please 8-year-old. All set? Not quite, you may need some batteries to keep the toy's magic going - and your choice of batteries is an important one, for environmental and health reasons. Some batteries contain hazardous heavy metals that can find their way into the environment if they are thrown out or not recycled properly. Fortunately, a great new option is now available.

"Far and away the best battery choice - economically and environmentally - is a rechargeable alkaline battery, several major brands of which are now on the market," says Environmental Defense Scientist Richard Denison. "You get dozens of uses out of the same basic type of battery you've used for years, and avoid the disposal problems associated with toxic metals present in other rechargeable battery types, especially nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries. Of course, any rechargeable is environmentally preferable - and will also save you money - compared to a single-use disposable battery, and rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries (NiMHs) or NiCds are needed or perform better in some applications."

So instead of tossing those single-use batteries, get some you can recharge again and again. Replacing older or dead nickel batteries? Be sure to recycle them.

More Links

	Choosing the Right Battery Charger (from Care2.com)
	Portable Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA) - Trade industry group responding to the growing need for workable battery recycling programs
	Locate recycling centers in your neighborhood by using the zip code-based database at Earth911.org