Batteries are everywhere in our homes. What needs to be everywhere in our homes? Rechargeable batteries! While adults may just have a few devices, like the remote control, cordless mouse, digital camera, and maybe another item or two, the kids have batteries in EVERYTHING. There’s the trucks that have lights and sirens, the cash register with sounds, the creepy guitar that plays music without anyone touching it, the video game controllers… and that’s just scratching the surface.
So what have we been doing? Most of us just grab a pack of AAs on the way through the grocery store checkout line and don’t think too much about it. But guess what? Recharging batteries is cool now. Ever heard of a little car company called Tesla? They LOVE to recharge batteries. And so can you, even if it’s just to refill the talking stuffed bear your kid loves to squeeze over and over again.
Nostalgia Time…For Technology?
Way back when I was a kid in the 80s and 90s, we had this old Radio Shack battery charger, and a bunch of purple rechargeable batteries to go with it. It was pretty clunky, but for the most part it worked well for years. We even had a little battery tester, so you could see which ones were due for charging if they got mixed up. Well, today’s rechargeable batteries are much improved from those that were around a couple of decades ago. And not only are they better for the planet by being able to be used over and over again, they can save you money, especially if you’re constantly refreshing your kid’s toys and devices with new batteries.
Everyone Likes More Money
Some very basic cost analysis: a 10 pack of name-brand AAs from Target can run about $8. These will keep you running for a while, depending on your device use, and then you’ll get rid of them. On the other hand, a rechargeable set of 16 eneloops will be about $35, which can be charged over and over again for a few cents. That means that if you use those 16 rechargeable batteries three times (equivalent to using 48 single use batteries), you’ve already surpassed the $40 value you would have spent buying 50 single use batteries. Now yes, you still have to buy a charger, but you’ll recoup the value of the charger when you recharge those eneloops UP TO 2100 TIMES! Money in your pocket, plus savings for the planet!
Ugh…more trash?
In terms of being planet friendly, single use batteries are…not so much. There’s some recycling options out there, but most folks are probably just throwing them into their regular trash (which is considered acceptable disposal). There are some sites that will take single use batteries for recycling, including some big box stores, and of course you can always check with your local solid waste district on their preferred disposal method. For starters, check out the search function on Earth911.com and click on Batteries on the left.
**Some of the links found will be affiliate links, which means if you use that link to make a purchase, I get a small commission. The commission comes at no extra cost to you, and it helps support my family and our quest to be as sustainable as possible. I only recommend products based on my own experiences and/or opinions. Please only buy products you feel can be helpful to you and your family.**
Rechargeable Batteries = Power Players
The most common batteries you use would be a great place to start. For most of use, that’s probably with AAs. In our house, we’ve used eneloops for a while with good results.
Other popular brands which have similar results are systems from both AmazonBasics and Energizer. Basically, just pick one, or some of each, and get started! The eneloop system works primarily around the AA size, and then has spacers to go up to C and D sizes.
AAAs are available as well, of course.
Additionally, there’s also some nice starter packs available if you want to just grab the most common sizes.
Of course, if you don’t get a pack that includes a charger, or if you want to take your charging game up a level, you’ll need a charger to match your needs. The smart chargers are always recommended over the dumb chargers, as they won’t overcharge the batteries, which can cause them to wear out sooner. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure your charger is able to charge each battery individually, and not together as a group. Here’s a good basic charger as well as a couple of fancier models.
If you’re into micromanaging your batteries, you can opt for a tester to round out your rechargeable battery system. This can help you keep full batteries into your devices, since it only takes one dead battery out of a group to stop a device from working. Plus it’s easy with lots of batteries around to get the charged and not charged mixed up, especially if your kids are old enough to take batteries out of their devices themselves.
So that’s it! With a few basic supplies, you’re on the fast train to Rechargabletown, and saving money and the Earth in the process. Have a favorite rechargeable battery brand or product? Let us know what is it in the comments! And for more great info on how to keep your family home sustainable, enter you email below to and we’ll keep you in the loop. Thanks for reading!