Where Batteries Live

We are all familiar with batteries. They are in use in many aspects of our daily lives, powering everything from our cars to our cell phones. But how much do we really know about the batteries we are using? And just where do these batteries live?

Over 15 billion batteries are sold in the U.S. each year. The majority of these batteries can be classified into two types: dry-cell and wet-cell.

Dry-cell batteries

These batteries are commonly found around the house and office. They contain a paste-like electrolyte that, when combined with a heavy metal, makes power. The five types of dry-cell batteries we would typically find around our homes or offices include:

1. Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) are the most common dry-cell batteries used in the U.S. They are the battery source found in most cell phones, digital cameras and camcorders as they are rechargeable and relatively inexpensive. They are also commonly used in hybrid vehicles.
2. Alkaline batteries are known as the common household battery, found in items like portable radios, CD players, remote controls, flashlights and other small household appliances. They have a long shelf-life, but are not typically rechargeable.
3. Carbon Zinc batteries are known for their reliability over long periods of time in low energy-drain situations. Around our homes, we commonly find these batteries in garage door openers and clocks. They are not rechargeable.
4. Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that are commonly used in the place of alkaline and other non-rechargeable batteries. They are frequently used in portable electronic devices, where a non-rechargeable battery would have a short lifespan. They are designed to be cost-efficient for extended use.
5. Lithium Ion (LiIon) batteries are rechargeable and have a higher capacity for energy storage while still remaining relatively lightweight. For this reason, we tend to find these batteries in our laptops and wireless phones, as well as in hybrid vehicles. Unlike other rechargeable batteries, the length of their life depends on their manufacturer date, rather than how many times charged.

According to the EPA, one in every five dry-cell batteries sold in the U.S. is rechargeable. Just one rechargeable battery eliminates the need for hundreds of single-use batteries.

Wet-cell batteries

Also know as “Lead Acid” batteries, these batteries are commonly found in cars, boats, motorcycles and trucks. They perform in extreme conditions like high temperatures and rapid movement. Unlike the paste-like electrolyte of a dry-cell battery, a wet-cell electrolyte is in liquid form. Wet-cell batteries are also rechargeable.

Batteries also work for us in places we cannot see. For example, when a power outage occurs, batteries go to work to power our phone lines. They power alarm systems when there is an emergency. Batteries also work as backup power sources for hospitals and military operations.

When the lifespan of a disposable battery runs out, it should never find its new life in a landfill. It is estimated that batteries account for 88 percent of all mercury and 54 percent of all cadmium deposited into landfills. These heavy metals can seep into the soil and groundwater or be released through the air, which is hazardous to human health.

To minimize our environmental footprint, consider using rechargeable batteries and always recycle used batteries.