Rechargeable batteries make sense financially and environmentally
Those little AA and AAA batteries are very convenient, and in great demand – especially in children’s toys. However, they are massively damaging to our planet, and we get through billions of them worldwide each year:
- they come in plastic packaging
- they use chemicals and metals
- they leach poisonous materials as they decompose
- they are single use
- the small ones have been known to injure and even kill children
- they are rarely recycled, and when this happens it needs to be done at specialist facilities
They can also be expensive … think about how often toys and other items end up going unused simply because replacing all the batteries costs so much!
The solution
Firstly, let’s all try and limit the use of batteries anyway. However, where you need to use them, please invest in the up-front cost of a battery charger and some rechargeable batteries.
Like these pictured.
The initial cost will be higher, but you will quickly recover that and then save money because you will not have to buy replacement batteries again.
Why is this important?
As stated above, batteries are highly polluting items as well as being potentially dangerous. There are different types of batteries which can contain dangerous chemicals including lead, cadmium, zinc, lithium and even mercury.
When batteries begin to corrode in landfill sites these chemicals leak into the ground and cause soil and water pollution. When chemicals contaminate soil and water, wildlife and the environment can be harmed. On top of that these chemicals enter our own water supplies and food chains!
Limiting your use of single use batteries (and disposing of them properly) will:
- reduce the use of dangerous chemicals and metals in their manufacture
- protect the environment – wildlife, soil and water
- reduce the risks of damage to our waste disposal systems
- protect children from injury and death
- protect our food chains
- protect our water supplies
Take action
Make this simple purchase instead of single use batteries – it’s a no-brainer really!
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