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Stretching Your Batteries

To keep batteries out of landfills and save money in the long run, use rechargeables. Once sketchy, rechargeable technology has improved greatly over the years.

Roughly $50 billion is spent worldwide each year on batteries, of which only a little more than 10 percent goes to rechargables, according to http://www.Batteryuniversity.com.

Rechargeables won’t leave you high and dry when they die, and some, like the new Hybrio (available on http://www.Amazon.com) can be recharged up to 500 times.

Call2Recycle, a product stewardship program for rechargeable batteries that has collected over 50 million pounds of rechargeable batteries for recycling since 1984, offers the following tips for getting more from your batteries.

1. Always follow the charging guidelines provided by the manufacturer. There are specific recommended charging times for each individual product that should be followed before the product is used for the first time.

2. Never return a fully-charged battery to the charger for an extra boost. This will shorten the life of the battery.

3. Never place a non-rechargeable battery in a battery charger.

4. Do not leave a rechargeable battery in the charger when it is not charging.

5. Let a discharged battery cool to room temperature before recharging.

6. Recharge batteries only when they are close to being fully discharged.