According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans buy 3 billion batteries on average each year for radios, cell phones, watches, toys, laptop computers and portable power tools. And if you think you’re doing good for the Earth by buying rechargeable batteries, you’re right, but they’re still not the perfect solution. Of course, with rechargeable batteries you’re reducing landfill waste in comparison to traditional batteries, but rechargeable or not, batteries are a bundle of of toxic chemicals. Depending on the type of battery, inside you’ll find a mix of bad stuff including alkaline, mercury, lead acid, nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride. So batteries have the potential to add lead and acid to the environment and water supply, they can pollute lakes and streams as these toxins vaporize during trash burning and they can contribute to the heavy metals that leach from landfills.

That’s why Fuji created a new environmentally friendly battery, the Fuji EnviroMAX. Available in both super alkaline and digital alkaline varieties, these batteries are free of mercury, cadmium and other toxic heavy metals. Unlike traditional batteries, when these are tossed in the garbage, they won’t leach harmful chemicals as they biodegrade in the landfill. Tests have shown they’re just as powerful as traditional batteries. Look for them to arrive at Sears, Target, ACE Hardware and Tru Value Hardware stores soon.

If you’re sticking to regular batteries, make sure to recyle every single battery that you’re done with. Find an appropriate center that accomodates the kind of battery you have at Earth911.org.

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