Choose rechargeable batteries for your electronics

Rechargeable batteries are designed to last for years and be reused hundreds or even thousands of times. For a few years now, my household has been using rechargeable batteries for most of our battery-powered devices, especially items that go through power quickly, like remote controls and string lights. While the initial investment is a little higher—you need to buy a charger along with good-quality batteries—it quickly pays off, since you don’t need to spend time and money acquiring new batteries when they run out of juice.

By lowering the demand for producing new batteries and destroying old ones, rechargeables help cut down on the raw material extraction, manufacturing, packaging, shipping, and safe disposal associated with disposable batteries—all of which carry environmental costs. Using a reusable battery, meanwhile, only requires the power needed to charge it up for another round. It all adds up: life-cycle assessments show that over many charge cycles, rechargeable batteries produce substantially less greenhouse gas emissions than the equivalent number of disposable batteries.

On average, over time, rechargeable batteries cost less than disposable ones | Source: Clark

There are many rechargeable batteries and chargers on the market to choose from. Here are a few that reviewers recommend:

• EBL 8 Bay for a starter pack with a multi-USB charger and both AA and AAA batteries
• Energizer AccuRecharge PowerPlus for long battery life
• Duracell Rechargeable for a balance of high quality and affordability

Some chargers come with the batteries, while others should be bought separately. To ensure your batteries have a long life, use a decent charger of the same brand and avoid over-charging or storing batteries at extreme temperatures. Regardless of your needs, rechargeable batteries are a practical and convenient switch with both financial and environmental benefits.