Energize Your Batteries

By Abbie Enyart
Published on May 1, 2004
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Replace traditional batteries with rechargeable batteries.

Problem:

Every year, billions of alkaline batteries are bought, used, and thrown into landfills where their heavy metals leach into soil and water. Despite this, some people recommend discarding non-rechargeable alkaline batteries in your household trash.

Solutions:

• Buy rechargeable batteries that can be reused. (Virtually any place that sells them accepts them back for recycling.)

• Charge alkaline batteries with a 12-volt Battery Charger from Real Goods.

• Find out if your municipality’s waste management bureau recycles alkaline batteries.

• Recycle nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium-ion (Li-ion) and small sealed-lead (Pb) batteries with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation.

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