Why don’t we phase out disposable batteries?

I won’t pretent that I’ve read every convo – I have not – but looking at the interest this has generated, and the poll results, it looks as though this is inspiring contributions in a way that only phasing out of cheques can really beat.

The poll is a close run thing though, however a majority of people don’t want to see disposables completely phased out.

Given this position, can we be assured that Which? will be campaigning for, at the very least, a MUCH improved public information campaign about the potential pros and cons of both types of battery, and a VASTLY improved level of honesty and detail in government sponsored campaigns to get everyone to stop using disposables?

I hope that Which? will also be campaigning for a very clear labelling system, such as Tom Hawkins has suggested – this is probably the best idea on this topic that I have seen ever, and I’d suggest that a parallel scheme should have been applied to the energy saving lamps too, but it’s a bit late for that one now.

While I accept that standard batteries are more wasteful than rechargeables I, and I’m sure others, have appliances where rechargeables are either advised against or don’t fit – they must be slightly wider.
I also don’t understand the rating system – do different ratings denote greater power or the same power for longer?
Chargers are of variable quality – one I bought a little while ago now works on only 2 of its 4 terminals.
A comparison with the lightbulb issue does not reassure me – I now have 3 very expensive lamps for which no bulbs are available and will be useless when my stock of replacements is exhausted. And others where the low energy alternatives are unsightly or provide poor light quality or both.

I found this interesting web site that delves into the facts and myths of battery suitability

Mike

http://www.greenbatteries.com/batterymyths.html

I have a number of rechargeable batteries and they are very good for appliances that get reasonably regular use. However I do find they self-discharge over a few months and for that reason are not good in low-drain appliances in which batteries are supposed to last for years – clocks and smoke alarms being two good examples.

Since these kinds of low-drain appliances actually costs very little to run even using the most expensive disposables, I now reserve my rechargables for high-drain items such as torches and toys.

Assuming the person is not buying el cheapo chargers and batteries. Rechargeable batteries are superior in every way. With the new LSD (Low Self Discharge) when unused will hold 85 percent of the charge for 1 year, which means they are now good for clocks and fire alarms. Granted you may need to change clock and fire alarm every 2 to 3 years but that is quite reasonable. Yes, lithium batteries last longer but they are harmful to the environment. The biggest issue is people have this very poor idea that all rechargeable batteries/chargers are the same and this is simply not true and the best brands aren’t at your local Wal-mart, except sometimes one can find Sanyo Eneloop at wal-mart. However there are other brands which are as good or better that cannot be found at such stores and can only be found online. The very top brands beside Sanyo Eneloop are Powerex Imedion, Accupower, and Tenergy Premium (not Standard). Best chargers is basically anything from Maha Powerex, Ansmann, and Accupower. No Duracell, Energizer, and Rayovac rechargeable batteries are junk as they don’t put good efforts in making good rechargeable batteries because they risk revenue loss on there own disposables. Yes, disposable should absolutely be banned, just keep extra rechargeables around so a set is always ready on-hand.

[This comment has been edited due to breaking our commenting guidelines. Thanks, mods.]

Can anyone tell me please about Electronic Cigaretts

The poll just makes no sense as people are saying that “rechargeables aren’t a good alternative”. Why aren’t they as rechargeables now have life per charge as a disposable. They can hold 85 percent of a single charge after a year in storage. You realistically at least 400 charges from a rechargeable battery. Now these batteries can be purchase pre-charged and ready to use out of the package.

The only reason I can think why folks aren’t onboard with rechargeable batteries is they are using the generic charge like the ones that come with energizer and Duracell or simply too lazy to charge them. Cost can’t be an issue as good rechargeable are only 12.99 a 4 pack.