The results of an independent study, a global first, comparing the environmental damage caused by disposable and rechargeable batteries, have recently been announced by Uniross, the leading European manufacturer of rechargeable batteries.

The results of the study suggest that rechargeable batteries have as much as 32 times less negative impact on the environment than disposables, when producing the same levels of energy.

As the MD of Uniross, Peter Keen, has argued, this is the first study to show that rechargeable batteries have an environmental benefit, which suggests that a conversion from disposables to rechargeable is not only beneficial, but necessary.

The independent Uniross study has been backed by the WWF:

As their UK Head of Campaigns, Colin Butfield, outlined, 95% of the 660 million batteries purchased each year are disposable, and after use go to landfill sites, where they release harmful toxins into the environment. Butfield argues that this is “wasteful and unnecessary”, and furthermore unsustainable, with most UK citizens using an amount of batteries which would need three times the amount of resources actually available to us to sustain. In contrast, rechargeable batteries are a simple way of helping the environment, with a significantly reduced negative impact (up to 32 times less) without affecting how people live or work.

The study shows the following advantages of rechargeable batteries compared to the disposable alternative:

As much as 23 times less impact on non-renewable resources
Compared to disposable batteries, rechargeable models use as much as 23 times less non-renewable natural resources (fossil and mineral). This is the case because a considerably larger number of disposable batteries need to be produced and use to match the energy provided in the long-term by a rechargeable battery.

Rechargeable batteries use an equivalent of 1kg of petroleum in terms of natural, non-renewable resources, to create 1kWh of energy. With disposable batteries that figure goes up to 19kg of petroleum equivalent.

Up to 28 times less impact on global warming (CO2)
With climate change and the greenhouse gas effect, the surface of the earth is experiencing a gradual rise in average temperature. Global warming can be combated by using rechargeable batteries, whose impact is as much as 28 times less than that of disposables. This is because the excess manufacture of disposable batteries requires a much greater use of resources, and fuel emissions, both in their production and transportation.

Using a rechargeable battery to provide 1kWh of energy is comparable to a 16km car journey in its impact on global warming; with a disposable battery it’s like driving 457km.

As much as 30 times less impact on air pollution (ozone pollution)
The impact on ozone pollution from rechargeable batteries is as much as 30 times less than that of disposables. Ozone and toxic emissions are the result of photochemical oxidation, which can be reduced with rechargeable models.

Using the car-journey analogy again, more, the impact on air pollution of a rechargeable battery is 73km per 1kWh. With disposable batteries it’s a whopping 2,320km.

Up to 9 times less impact on air acidification
Air acidification is the result of acidifying substances accumulating in the air. These are then dispersed in precipitation, polluting the soil and biosphere. The impact of disposable batteries is up to 9 times as much on air acidification compared to rechargeable alternatives.

E.g. using the car analogy once more, the impact of rechargeable batteries is equivalent to a 2,122km journey per 1kWh, which is dwarfed by the 19,812km relative journey of a disposable battery producing its 1kWh.

Up to 12 times less impact on water pollution
The risks of chemical emissions in aquatic ecosystems are measured on a sedimentary eco-toxicity scale.

Rechargeable batteries are as much as 12 times less damaging to fresh water and sea water ecosystems than disposables are, in terms of the toxic sediments they emit.

E.g. using a rechargeable battery to provide 1kWh energy is the equivalent of emptying 227mg of mercury into the sea; on the same basis, the mercury equivalent with disposables is as much as 2,731mg.

Another advantage of rechargeable batteries: reduced waste
The Uniross study codified the different raw materials used in the manufacture of each different type of battery, both disposable and rechargeable. With rechargeable batteries you can get the following benefits:

Big savings on cost of packaging; to produce 1kWh energy you will need a single pack of rechargeable batteries where you would need 93 packs if you were using disposable batteries.

The chance to reduce the number of batteries which find their way to landfill sites.

Approximately 660 million batteries are bought annually in the UK for household use, as much as 99% of them destined for landfill. An average household will use 21 batteries during the course of the year. They can both save money and help the environment by reducing that number and switching over to rechargeable batteries; with rechargeable batteries, everyone and everything can benefit.

Author Bio: Jason Lowe is an expert on the environment and AAA Rechargeable Batteries are something he believes in strongly.

Category: Advice
Keywords: AAA Rechargeable Batteries, Rechargeable Batteries