Americans buy, and eventually toss, about 3 billion batteries per year, and the majority of them are Alkaline batteries. With the average price of a four pack of AA batteries running between $12 - $14, that’s a lot of cash. And we hate feeling like we’re always replacing them.

Just as CFLs are a cost-efficient, more convenient, eco-preferable alternative to incandescent lightbulbs, rechargeable batteries definitely trump disposables in several ways.

First, after the initial cost of purchasing a charger, rechargeables save you from having to reach into your pocket over and over again for a product with a very short life expectancy. Rechargeable NiMH batteries can be recharged 500 or more times, saving hundreds of dollars in battery purchases over time. We’re fans of Greenfeet’s NiMH/CAD Battery Charger, $29.95.

Plus, rechargeables often last longer than disposables between charges, meaning less time spent purchasing and replacing batteries. Click here to read more

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Daily Greenz #89

Cell phones have long been a thorn in the flesh of environmentalists, who decry the 130 million cell phones that Americans throw out every year, creating 65,000 tons of trash, including toxic metals and other health hazards. Nokia has finally heard their cry and taken the lead to create eco-mobile products that are made of plant-based plastics and recycled steel, and use much less energy than their hazardous counterparts. They unveiled the 3110 Evolve at their world conference last year, which was a big hit with Greenpeace because it’s made of 50% recycled materials and totes an energy-efficient charger, which uses 94% less energy than Energy Star requirements and
automatically shuts off once the phone is fully charged. Click here to read more

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