Sustaining Us

The truth about batteries is not nearly as bad as it was a decade ago. The alkaline variety, Duracell and Energizer brands, have a low environmental impact and are safe to disguard when exhausted. In fact, even many rechargeable varieties found in cameras, phones, and camcorders are less toxic than they once were. They should not be disposed of in landfills but their impact is much less than commonly thought. You may ask yourself at this point, why would I tell you that it’s perfectly ok to dispose of batteries in the trash. I’m not. What I am saying is that it’s an option and if throwing away batteries is a convenient option, recharging them are a convenient, environmentally safe, and cost effective option.

Rechargables cost as much as 3X as more plus charger cost. However cost is recovered after three or four cycles, when you buy rechargeable batteries with a charger in a bargain pack. As we grow into an on-demand, mobile society, batteries will play a larger and larger role. If you think back to pre-cell phone days, there were probably millions of fewer batteries floating around and less toxins to seep from them into our municipal waste streams. In the United States, the government stepped in to mandate “low-impact” battery use, guiding us into a more responsible 21st century. The Mercury Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act of 1996, was monumental in scope. Essentially it prevented enormous amounts of mercury and other heavy metals from filling our landfills, poisoning us, and polluting our water, air, and food.

The act also created the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, a service that will help the average consumer to find a way to dispose of rechargeable batteries by simply calling in. An even easier option is Earth911, a site that lists locations to recycle a number of consumer goods, including batteries. Many Staples office centers will recycle batteries and even other office equipment(for a price).

All in all, the decision to go green and buy rechargeables is similar to buying a hybrid car or investing in efficiency. It initially costs a great deal more, but saves you and the environment a great deal more down the road.

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