Disposable or Rechargeable Batteries?

Which Batteries are Better – Disposable or Rechargeable Batteries?

 

which batteriesA lot of people ask me about batteries, particularly about rechargeable batteries. These are the questions I get most often:

  • Why should I invest in rechargeable batteries?
  • Are rechargeable batteries really more green and eco-friendly?
  • Isn’t it a hassle, re-charging them all the time?

Well, I’m going to tell you something that a LOT of people don’t know!

You need both types!

What

EcoExpert is recommending something disposable?

In this case, yes, absolutely! Here’s the deal:

  • Disposable batteries are good for items that have a  low power draw, such as some wall clocks, cameras and emergency flashlights or torches. Plus, many smoke alarms or smoke detectors advise you to use disposables – always check the manufacturers’ recommendations.
  • Use rechargeable batteries for everything else – cameras, games consoles, etc.

Why not rechargeable batteries for everything – they’re more eco-friendly, aren’t they?

Yes they are, but rechargeable batteries are NOT as good for devices which drain energy at a slow, steady rate, even though the technology has improved.

Disposables will hold a charge for years when not in use, so they’re the better choice for items that may sit unused for long periods of time.

However, according to https://solargenerator.guide/, rechargeable batteries are better for almost everything else – they’ll save you money, and they’re much better for the environment.

In fact, rechargeable AA and AAA batteries almost always last longer, cost less, and reduce waste compared with single-use batteries.

Rechargeables are less likely to leak than disposables, so you’re less likely to see that nasty corrosion in your gadgets.

There’s no “memory effect” so you can recharge them whenever you want (you don’t have to wait till they’re fully wound down).

But recharging batteries is a hassle!

Let me ask you something.  You re-charge your cell phone battery without a murmur, don’t you? 🙂

The amount of money you’re saving with rechargeable batteries, as well as the benefits to the environment, make it easy to justify rechargeables.

 Green Tip: Keep a few sets of rechargeable batteries always charged so that you are never without batteries when you need them. When one set dies, place them in a charger before you go to bed and they should be full of power and ready to go by the morning.

Why are rechargeable batteries more eco-friendly, anyway?

batteriesEven though newer disposable batteries have less hazardous material in them than older batteries, they still end up in landfills in large quantities (unless they’re recycled – and very few are). In landfills they release heavy metals, corrosive materials and other toxic chemicals into the soil.

Rechargeables have 28 times less impact on global warming, 30 times less impact on air pollution, 9 times less impact on air acidification, and 12 times less impact on water pollution!

Rechargeable batteries are used again and again (hundreds of times), and so there’s less going to landfill.

By re-using batteries, you’re not mining virgin resources for new disposables.

And you reduce the environmental impact of transporting large volumes of disposable batteries around the world.

Even after including the cost of a charger, rechargeable batteries will pay for themselves in five to six recharge cycles, compared with buying most brand-name disposables.

And still on the subject of cost, according to market research firm Statista, based on battery usage in the US, you’d need to buy only 1 rechargeable battery for every 10 disposables you’d use.

Which Are The Best Rechargeable Batteries?

Most rechargeable batteries are pretty equal in terms of performance. However, my recommendation is Panasonic’s Eneloop batteries. Why? Because they are charged in the factory with solar power – that’s very green and ecofriendly! Plus, they conform to the Green Certificate System.

And they’re said to work in cold climates, which many other batteries don’t. (Many years ago, I had to keep batteries with me in my sleeping bag when I travelled to the Arctic, to avoid them freezing).

And of course, like most other good brands, Eneloop batteries are pre-charged, so they’re ready-to-use right away.

Panasonic eneloop rechargeable batteries
Click the picture for more details

 

Which Charger is best?

There are loads of battery chargers available.  Be sure to buy a good one – a bad one will shorten the life of your rechargeable batteries by charging too quickly and heating the batteries.  Heated batteries are damaged batteries. (Eneloop batteries charge well in Eneloop chargers – click here for more details).

Look for chargers which properly monitor and control the charging process, and also try to get one which shuts off once charging is complete.

Always remove your batteries from the charger after charging.

Keep several spare batteries available at all times, so you can swap them out when needed.

Which Type of Rechargeable Battery is best?

There are 4 main types of rechargeables.

  1. Don’t buy NiCad batteries – they contain a lot of toxic chemicals and metals and they don’t compete on performance with the other options.
  2. Generally speaking, NiMH AA rechargeable with 2000 (or higher) cycle is the best all-round choice (800 for AAA batteries). They offer good performance and are toxic-metal-free.
  3. You can buy rechargeable alkaline batteries, but although they are low in cost, their performance in tests is relatively poor, so stick with NiMH.
  4. Lithium Ion batteries offer excellent performance, and can go unused for long periods without losing their charge.  But they are relatively expensive.  Use them for rarely-used or high-drain laptops, digital cameras, cell phones and portable televisions.

 

Summary

Use rechargeable batteries wherever possible (NiMH or Lithium). They save you money, and they’re miles better for the environment. Some devices unfortunately still need disposables – check the manufacturer’s recommendations.

 

Next:  How can I easily Recycle my old Batteries?

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Warm regards,

signature Clare


Tags

alkaline, alkaline battery, are rechargeable batteries better, battery recycling, compare alkaline and rechargeable batteries, compare disposable and rechargeable batteries, disposable versus rechargeable batteries, Lithium Ion, NiCAD, NiMH, which battery charger


  • A Very Helpful Article, Clare!

    Yes, I was shocked that you recommended both types of batteries and I really appreciated you mentioning the best type of charger and how to best handle the rechargeable batteries, as well as a desciption of the various types of rechargeable batteries.

    Stay Extraordinary and Keep Doing Amazing Things, Neil

  • Thank you for such a terrific explanation of why we should have both types of batteries and what type of rechargeable batteries to use. Where I work they use rechargeable ones, the NiMH you recommend, and it’s saved a lot of money the past several years plus cut way down on what would’ve gone to a landfill otherwise.

    Michael

  • Thanks for saying it’s OK to use both. I’ve tried rechargeable batteries in items such as flashlights, and they just don’t last. Seems like I’m using more power to recharge them constantly. It makes sense to balance things and use both where appropriate.

    Cherie Miranda

  • Clare, thanks for sharing what batteries would be the best to use to be the most eco friendly.
    Scott Sylvan Bell

    Now go implement!

  • Awesome!
    Now I know everything I need to know about batteries
    And more!
    I’ve been so tired of guessing.
    Now! I’ve got it from the Leader in Eco Info!
    Looking forward to tomorrow!
    Create a great day!

  • Wow!
    once again you have made me an expert on something that I use every day and was not that knowledgeable about!
    Sonya Lenzo

  • Great article about batteries Clare! I noticed a couple years back all the power tool manufacturers switched from Nicad recghargeable batteries to Lithium Ion. I thought it was to make the tool more compact. Tool manufacturers will now buy back your old tools to put towards the new one. Makita and Dewalt have both done this for me. So I should just leave all my chargers plugged in all the time right?

  • Hi Green Goddess,

    I knew learning about using Disposable or Rechargeable batteries from you as the Eco Expert Green Lady would be worth waiting for. Thank you for explaining the differences.

    Yes, for things like a digital voice recorder, typically I need only 1 set of batteries for each time I lead a Singles Dating Workshop in Southern California or Las Vegas. However, the wireless microphone headset device I use as a professional public speaker seems to eat the batteries at a faster clip. I’m really glad to hear you point out that yes we can have more than 1 set of rechargeable batteries. I like that plan and that is what I intend to do.

    Could you do a comparison chart of the differences in the rechargeable batteries with some of your personal favorites from over at Amazon to make it faster and easier for us?

    Happy Dating and Relationships,

    April Braswell

    • That’s a great suggestion April, I’ll definitely do that! And thanks for the feedback on the battery usage of the devices you use!

  • Clare, another excellent post. I know that batteries are a huge environmental issue and you have given information to make better decisions.

  • Clare, do you think magnetic generators and Tesla type technology will ever make it to the mainstream market? Or do you think that the profiteers will forever suppress that stuff?

    Andrew

    • Gasp! Shock! Horror! Good heavens, you can’t have the public generating their own electricity – for free! 🙂
      I suspect though that Health & Safety might stop widespread – especially family – use.
      Thanks for your comments!

  • Hi Clare,
    I’m into geocaching with is an activity that depends a lot on GPS receivers. My friend and I will go all day with our receivers on. I go through a lot of disposables, which I dispose of properly, but am wishing for a less wasteful alternative. I have used rechargeables years ago in our walkie-talkies, but found them unsatisfactory and they didn’t hold a charge very well. Perhaps I should look into these lithium batteries if they are the new wave.

    Thanks for the info.

    • Hey Mil,
      I am also a geocacher and I can say that the newer rechargeable batteries are miles ahead of the ones from 4 or 5 years ago. I have been using rechargeable batteries in my GPS and bicycle lights for the last three years and they keep getting better. I wouldn’t recommend going with lithium batteries for your GPS. They cost much more and don’t give significantly better performance (in my humble opinion). I use Tenergy Premium NiMH Rechargeable batteries. I bought my current set from http://www.all-battery.com because they have these batteries for the best price. Before purchasing rechargeable batteries look on the packaging or battery for a capacity rating (in mAh). The higher the number the more capacity it has. The AA batteries I use are 2500mAh which works in my GPS for 4-6 hours depending on signal quality and other factors. Steer clear of the 1600mAh, 1800mAh or 2000 mAh batteries because these perform poorly and don’t last as long (and were probably what you encountered a few years back). I hope this helps and good luck geocaching!

  • I believe this information, and the balance of single-use vs rechargeables, to be outdated, and I see no date on this document. Since there are comments from 2011, I can say confidently that the battery situation has changed dramatically, and Lithium apparently has substantial environmental impacts.

    How about a dated update?!
    🙂

    • I disagree. Disposable batteries are still required for some devices which slow drain. Rechargeable batteries still have substantial environmental and health benefits.
      Yes, the technology has improved, enabling rechargeables to be used slightly more widely. But the main premise of this article, which is that you should use mostly rechargeable batteries, but you may need disposables for some devices, is still true today.

      The article has in fact been updated a couple of times since it was originally published and I am satisfied that it contains relevant and accurate information today.

      You mention Lithium. Lithium mining is without doubt lousy for the environment. So are, for example, the problems associated with manufacturing wind turbines and solar panels. Whatever we do, has some environmental impact. But it’s a funny thing. Many people who complain about these environmental impacts, rarely mention the ghastly impacts of fossil fuels. From the damaged health of coal miners, to devastating oil spills and explosions, to land destroyed for drilling, to the health impacts of air and water pollution, environmental injustice and, above all, to the fact that fossil fuels cause our biggest environmental threat – climate change.

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