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| BATTERIES - DISPOSABLE AND RECHARGEABLE AND WIND-UP DEVICES |
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| Batteries come in all shapes and sizes. They store electrical charge and as we all know, when they are put into an electronic device such as a portable radio, they provide the power. The usual battery sizes are seen below. They range from 1.5 volts to 9 volts. | ||
| ALKALINE BATTERIES | ||
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| BUTTON CELLS/BATTERIES | ||
| A button cell is a very small battery. A good example is the type found in most modern watches. This type of battery is often used in camcorders as backup batteries. They ensure that the date and time are held in memory even when the rechargeable batteries are removed. Button batteries are usually rated at 1.5 volts or 3 volts and consequently they are used in devices that need very little power. | ||
| Watches are ideal for this type of battery as well as low power calculators and hearing aids. Large button batteries are used as backup batteries for the CMOS of computer systems and ensure that the basic settings in the setup of the computer are held in memory, even when the computer is switched off. |  |
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RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
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| DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING | ||
| Batteries are very difficult to recycle, due to the toxicity of the heavy metals (nickel, cadmium and mercury). The presence of the heavy metals make landfill and incineration a very poor ochoice. In either case, the heavy metals will ‘leak’ into the environment through leakage into the soil or as vapour into the air. | ||
| Recycling technology already exists, and the process reclaims the various metals for reuse, either in the production of new batteries (such as cadmium) or for other products (such as nickel, which can be used in stainless steel production). | ||
| WHY ARE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES A BETTER ALTERNATIVE TO DISPOSABLE BATTERIES? |
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1. They can be recharged hundreds / thousands of times, which saves on processing new materials for disposable batteries. 2. They reduce environmental damage, as disposable batteries often end up in landfill, leaking their dangerous, toxic materials into the soil and water table. 3. They are a better economic choice. The cost of rechargeable batteries and a charger, is less than regularly replacing disposable batteries with new ones. 4. Using rechargeable batteries shows your commitment to protecting the environment. 5. They help to reduce our carbon footprint, reducing our overall contribution to ‘environmental pollution’. |
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| ENERGY SAVING DEVICES - WIND UP CHARGERS | ||
| A range of energy saving devices now exist such as torches and radios that do not require batteries to be changed. A good example is the torch seen below. It contains rechargeable batteries, that can be charged by winding the handle for several minutes. As the handle is turned a small electrical generator produces electricity that is stored in the rechargeable batteries. The electricity can then be used when required. | ||
| 1. Energy Saving Devices - Wind Up Chargers | ||
| 2. Energy Saving Devices - Solar Chargers | ||
| 3. The Magnetic Force Torch | ||
| 4. The Magnetic Force Torch Technology - Alternative Applications | ||
| 5. Quality Guaranteed Symbol and Eco-Friendly Products | ||
| 6. The SolarBright Torch | ||
| CLICK HERE FOR TECHNOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT INDEX PAGE | ||
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