Georgina Caro & eneloop

If you’re looking for a simple and easy way to make your home more sustainable then switching to reusable and rechargeable batteries is a great option for you. So why should you consider switching? 

• In the UK alone we throw away approximately 600 million batteries per year! 

• In 2020 in the UK 40,000 tonnes of batteries were sold 

• Only approximately 18,000 tonnes of them were recycled 

• The UK missed its 2019 battery target by 258 tonnes 

• During the festive period UK households buy an estimated extra 30 batteries 

What is eneloop? 

eneloop are pre-charged long life rechargeable batteries that come in plastic-free packaging. They are an environmentally friendly alternative to disposable batteries. 

They can be used for: 

• Digital cameras  

• Beauty appliances  

• Health appliances  

• Kitchen appliances  

• Games  

• Torches 

• Toys and more! 

Why switch to eneloop? 

Environmentally friendly  

eneloop batteries are rechargeable and recycle at the end of their charging life. By switching to reusable batteries you’re helping to reduce the amount of single-use batteries that are in circulation.  

Double the charging power  

Each eneloop battery can be recharged up to 2100 times, that’s double the amount of charges compared to other rechargeable battery brands. They also last much longer than alkaline batteries which makes them especially good for high drain devices.  

High power  

One of the main benefits of eneloop batteries is they have a higher voltage level. Most appliances show the low battery level indicator light if the voltage goes lower than 1,1 volts, eneloop, in contrast, keeps its voltage level over 1,1 for longer periods of time.  

Ready to use 

All eneloop batteries arrive at your home pre-charged by solar power. This means you can use them as soon as they arrive unlike other rechargeable batteries that need charging before use. You don’t have to worry about them losing their charge either as the eneloop technology means they keep up to 70% of their charge for up to 10 years!    

Can be used in low temperatures  

The eneloop batteries can be used in temperatures as low as -20ºC. They maintain a low self discharge rate at lower temperatures. 

Why make the switch to reusable batteries 

In order to live a more sustainable lifestyle we have to start embracing the 9 R’s of sustainable living.  Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Re-gift, Repair, Rent, Recycle & Rot. Switching to reusable batteries fits under rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle. You’re rethinking the products you use. Refusing to use products that aren’t sustainable. Reducing your personal waste. Reusing an existing product and recycling it at the end of its life cycle. 

My thoughts on eneloop rechargeable batteries 

As part of this collaboration with eneloop I received some batteries and a charger to use at home. I was impressed with the packing they came in. The majority was either cardboard or paper, both of which can be recycled. The cardboard can be composted. 

I also liked the fact that the batteries came pre charged. This makes them really convenient as you can use them straight away. I was also impressed that the batteries had been pre charged by the sun. The charging unit is easy to use, you simply plug it into a wall plug and the batteries are fully charged within approximately 1 1/2 hours. 

Unlike other rechargeable battery charges this one has an end-of-life detector for the batteries so you know when they are no longer usable. This is a really handy feature to have. All round thumbs up from me. 

Why we need to recycle used single-use batteries 

Before you make the switch to reusable batteries you may have some leftover disposable batteries. These need to be disposed of in a responsible manner.  If you put single-use portable batteries into your rubbish bin it’s likely they will end up in landfill. Batteries contain dangerous chemicals such as cadmium, lead, lithium and zinc which can leach into the surrounding environment. As these batteries rot in landfill the chemicals leak into the ground causing soil and water pollution, affecting the local environment and wildlife. 

What to do with your old non-rechargeable batteries? 

If you have single-use batteries that cannot be recharged you can recycle them. By law in the UK from February 2010 any shop or store that sells 32kg or more of batteries per year must offer a free used battery collection service. Meaning you can take them back to the store and the company will deal with the recycling of them.  Most supermarkets have battery collection points by the front door. Public places such as schools and libraries often offer battery recycling services too.