subject: Get The Most Out of Your Battery [print this page] Get The Most Out of Your Battery Get The Most Out of Your Battery
When single is OK
Alkaline batteries also store well and lose only about 2 percent of their charge per year and work best in slow-drain devices, such as TV remotes, smoke detectors and wall clocks. David Pogue's comparison tests for The New York Times show that regular alkaline batteries last longer in a device that's on continuously.
Your local solid waste department may tell you to put alkaline batteries in with your regular trash. This is partly due to the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act passed in 1996, which phased out the use of mercury in alkaline batteries, making them less of an issue when disposed in landfills.
But this doesn't mean alkalines are not recyclable. Because they are available on a wider scale, many major retailers will accept them for recycling.
Need even more battery life?
If you're still looking for ways to cut corners and save an extra charge, Call2Recycle has even more tips for maintaining battery life:
1. Always follow the charging guidelines provided by the manufacturer. There are specific recommended charging times for
each individual product that should be followed before the product is used for the first time.
2. Never return a fully-charged battery to the charger for an extra boost. This will shorten the life of the battery.
3. Never place a non-rechargeable battery in a battery charger.
4. Do not leave a rechargeable battery in the charger when it is not charging.
5. Let a discharged battery cool to room temperature before recharging.
6. Recharge batteries only when they are close to being fully discharged.
We also heard that because rechargeable batteries have a high leakage rate, storing them in your refrigerator or freezer once they are charged will decrease their drain, but we haven't tested that theory yet.
No matter what kind of battery you use, recycling them at their end of life is key to preventing pollution and recapturing valuable metals to be reused.
Because of their materials, these batteries may or may not be considered hazardous waste in different states. So, you should always check with your local government health, solid waste or recycling department before you consider their disposal.
