Even though a lot of things have gone to rechargeable lithium ion batteries, there are still quite a large number of gadgets that require the normal AA battery. So then you have a dilemma: rechargeables or disposables? Rechargeables are obviously the more environmentally friendly way to go, but they’re not always convenient. So you go with disposables, which as we know can be recycled, but I’m a little leery of how that works. Even the rechargeable batteries will eventually die, and then you still have to worry about releasing toxins into the environment.

Not that earthCell Batteries are completely free of toxins, but they offer something the other types don’t: they are low self-discharge nickel metal hydride (LSD NiMH). What this means for us non-scientist types is they have a considerably longer shelf life than regular NiMH batteries and they give you a longer run time than regular alkaline batteries. Sounds like a win-win so far, doesn’t it?

But it gets better. You can use them like disposable batteries, but instead of tossing them in the recycling bin at your local library branch (well, that’s where mine is, yours might be elsewhere), you send them back to the company for disposing or recharging. When each battery arrives at earthCell, they test it to see if it can be reused. If so, they recharge it and sell it again. If not, they will dismantle it and use the components to make new batteries.

This is a Kickstarter project at the moment, but all you need to do is pledge a mere $13.00 US, and you will get four AA and four AAA earthCell batteries, as well as a mailer. Pledges of over $45.00 US will get you ten of each kind. Projected retail cost for these hasn’t been announced yet, and they will only be available in the US.

Source: Gizmag