Ordinary single-use batteries consume resources (nickel, manganese, and steel), and add volume to landfills. Rechargeable batteries reduce waste and can save you money in the process, but they also contain some toxic substances, as do car batteries.
Know how they drain. Some products, such as digital cameras, are tougher on batteries than others. Your best battery choice will depend on how quickly the device drains the battery. In high-drain devices, rechargeables give you more bang for your battery buck.
See if the battery is replaceable or rechargeable. Before you buy a battery-powered device, check whether you’ll be able to replace or recharge the batteries. In some devices, like many electric toothbrushes, when the battery dies, so does the whole product because the battery can’t be replaced by the consumer.
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