Battery chargers, Solar, and Rechargeable
Here on our site we try to show people that it is possible to have all the modern portable amenities that we love and be more environmentally friendly at the same time. We do not endorse any particular brands on our site, and we are not affiliated with any companies.
It is easy to forget how much power surrounds us every day. It is everywhere, and the only time we seem to really stop and realize it is when there is a power outage. Even then, when we have something like a power outage or lack power in a remote place, what do we do? We pull out a flashlight that is battery-powered.
We are no longer restricted by cords and lines. Now we can go just about anywhere in the world and still be completely connected to everyone around us. Phones, computers, watches, flashlights, and many other things that we are surrounded by and use on a daily basis use batteries. While this is very convenient, it has led to some issues that many people do not think about.
Batteries are basically constructed of two or more electrochemical cells that produce chemical energy. This chemical energy then becomes electrical energy. There are different types of electrochemical cells, including galvanic cells, flow cells, voltaic piles, and electrolytic cells.
What many people do not seem to realize is that there are a lot of heavy metals and toxic substances in batteries. Mercury, lead, and cadmium are all used in batteries. While this isn't a problem in and of itself, it can cause a problem when these batteries end up in landfills. These metals will escape the batteries.
Approximately 179,000 tons of batteries are thrown away each year in America. That adds up to a lot of toxic substances ending up in landfills.
Thankfully, there are some things we can do to help alleviate this problem without giving up the mobility of our electronics.
One of the first things we need to do is to start buying more rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable batteries cut down on the number you go through each year. This keeps more batteries out of the landfill, and keeps you from spending more money than you have to.
To make your rechargeable batteries last longer, make sure you read the instructions carefully on their use and care. You want to be sure that you have the right battery charger for them. You also don't want to leave them on the charger too long. If you care for them properly and make them last as long as possible you will get your full money's-worth out of them.
Cell phone batteries and laptop batteries are rechargeable, but you want to make sure you care for them. If they overheat or you don't have the proper battery chargers, you may have to replace them, which is very expensive. One thing that is becoming very popular for these devices is solar battery chargers. They take the sun's energy and refill the battery so that it doesn't run out on you, but you are also using a renewable energy resource.
Another way to prevent batteries ending up in landfills is to recycle them. Companies that recycle batteries recover what parts of the batteries that they can, and use them to make new ones. They also make sure that the toxic parts are disposed of properly.
Some other methods of cutting down on the number of batteries that are thrown away include buying products that cut minimize battery use. This can mean getting lights that have LED bulbs in them or bypassing the full-color screen on your PDA. You can also reuse batteries that have been used in a high-drain device such as a digital camera by putting them in a low-drain device such as a remote control.
Be sure to check into the battery disposal guidelines for your state, and see if there are any battery recycling centers that you can take batteries to. By buying rechargeable batteries and recycling dead batteries we can be better consumers and avoid putting unnecessary toxins into landfills.
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