Rechargeable batteries have grown in use over the years as people are looking to save money, reduce waste and consume responsibly and currently Energizer is leading the industry with its rechargeable batteries. A rechargeable battery is a group of one or more electrochemical cells. They come in many different shapes and sizes, ranging from a mobile phone battery to megawatt- scale systems. They will replace ordinary batteries in almost any appliance as they are the same size. There are several types of rechargeable batteries usually made from a different combination of lead acid, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium or nickel-hydride (1).
There are many economic and environmental benefits of using rechargeable batteries:
- While rechargeable cells have a higher initial cost, substantial savings can be made as rechargeable batteries can be recharged and reused up to 500 times. For example, in a digital camera, savings of up to £650 can be made per year by using rechargeable batteries (including the cost of batteries, charger and electricity) compared to the cost of alkaline batteries. Moreover, since the average household has an average of 25 battery powered appliances, the amount of money you could save is considerable (2).
- Rechargeable batteries have a higher performance capacity than regular alkaline batteries and are much more efficient. For example, Nickel-cadmium batteries have been known to perform well in very cold conditions and when excessively used, reducing the amount of times they need to be charged (1). Rechargeable batteries in a digital camera will take around 600 pictures whereas the use of alkaline batteries will only take around 90 photos.
- They are also more convenient because you do not have to remember to buy new batteries. By having two sets of rechargeable batteries you can have a spare set ready to use whenever you need so you will never run out. They can also be charged in cars and in computers (using USB) so that you have a fully charged battery whenever you need it.
- Rechargeable batteries allow you to cut down on household waste. Around 15 billion batteries are thrown away every year which end up in landfill sites releasing damaging chemicals into the environment. However, with proper selection of a rechargeable battery system you can reduce the amount of toxic materials sent to landfills. Up to 1000 less disposable batteries go to landfills for every rechargeable battery that is used. The most ecological rechargeable batteries are Ni-MH units (Nickel-metal hydride) as they have a service life of 100-1000 charge cycles (3).
- Rechargeable batteries are better for the environment. According to UNIROSS, European leader in rechargeable batteries, for the same quantity of energy produced, rechargeable batteries have up to 32 times less impact on the environment and 28 times less potential impact on climate change than disposable batteries. This is because manufacturing and distributing disposable batteries creates a lot of carbon dioxide emissions and therefore contributes to global warming (environmental friendliness has to account for the entire product life from mining to manufacturing, shipping, use and disposal). Furthermore, rechargeable batteries have up to 9 times less impact on air acidification and up to 12 times less potential toxic risks for fresh water and sea water sediments than disposable batteries.
- Rechargeable batteries allow you to save on packaging waste since one pack of rechargeable batteries is needed to obtain 1kwh of energy compared with 93 packs of disposable batteries (4).
Battery manufacturers such as Energizer are contributing to important efforts to conserve our natural resources and protect the environment for generations to come. Using rechargeable batteries will not only be kinder to the environment, but will save you money and hassle as you will not have to buy them as often. (5).
For a wide range of rechargeable batteries then take a look at our range.
(1) www.ehow.com
(2) www.uniross.com
(5) www.amazines.com
