Energizer EcoAdvanced (Alkaline) Batteries

[Norman]

Just caught this on the news. Energizer has just come up with an alkaline battery that is made with recycled batteries. OK, it's only 4% by weight, but they also claim they're the longest-lasting alkaline batteries. Looks like they're available in AA & AAA sizes only. Well, it's a step in the right direction.

http://www.energizer.com/ecoadvanced
http://www.energizer.com/batteries/eco-advanced-batteries

 

[NoNotAgain]

That's all well and good. Until they fix the problem with leakage, I'll never use another one as long as NiMH or lithium primaries are available.

Off my soap box for the day.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

I read the page and I would have to say that for now it could be a waste of time and hype at 4% it probably costs as much to ship the batteries to be recycled and the pollution and fuel use in transit may make it a negative environmental impact. If they can continue onwards to their projected 40% target then that would be good but the problem is these are still alkaline batteries that leak and ruin stuff which for many people cannot be recycled but thrown in the dump. Make these eco batteries not leak and the savings from filling landfills with alkaleak damaged merchandise could add up substantially.

 

[gallon]

What is the root issue with leaking alkalines?
Is it because they outgas so easily and force out the liquid?


Other battery technologies don't leak.
So manufacturers know how to seal batteries.

 

[MidnightDistortions]

Would have to see how well they hold up to leakage. I'm only interested in rechargeables though. Primaries are not cost effective for me.

 

[TinderBox (UK)]

4% is most likely just the metal can which is easy to recycle, so it`s not exactly earth saving, what do they do with all the crap inside, maybe they could use it to neutralize the acid rain.

John.

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

Recycled crap is still crap.

 

[JohnnyBravo]

They seem expensive too. I just looked through the coupons/ads in today's paper. I saw an 8 pk of AAs on sale for $7.49, and w/ a $1.00 coupon, they're still too much. I use a ton of Eneloops around the house; but if I need alkies, a 4 pk brand name at the dollar stores seems to be a better value.

 

[SaraAB87]

AA alkalines are getting really expensive, especially energizer and Duracell. One grocery store here charges $10 for an 8 pack of duracells. I can basically get rechargables for nearly the same cost if I buy on sale. If I recharge my rechargables 2-3 times per pack I am already saving money over the cost of alkalines. Unless I am buying the cheapest dollar store batteries I can find or the bulk pack from Sams club. I am sure these batteries leak just like all the others and I won't be buying them as usual.

 

[idleprocess]

I read the page and I would have to say that for now it could be a waste of time and hype at 4%

It most certainly is hype at a mere 4%. Although since they claim to do this from old batteries, it could be an availability issue since most alkaline cells just get landfilled.

it probably costs as much to ship the batteries to be recycled and the pollution and fuel use in transit may make it a negative environmental impact.

Relative to mining and processing more iron, zinc, manganese, etc? I suspect it's a wash at the worst and their processes will likely only improve. If nothing else, it should be trivial to recycle the steel - which is most likely what they're doing to hit their lofty 4% minimum target.

Would need a solid audit of their processes and costs to know for sure.

If they can continue onwards to their projected 40% target then that would be good but the problem is these are still alkaline batteries that leak and ruin stuff which for many people cannot be recycled but thrown in the dump. Make these eco batteries not leak and the savings from filling landfills with alkaleak damaged merchandise could add up substantially.

40% would be something close to the "closing the loop" bit they talk about in their marketing copy.



Of course, if these are substantially more expensive than vanilla alkaline cells then I'm even less sold since I'm using them quite rarely now.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Of course, if these are substantially more expensive than vanilla alkaline cells then I'm even less sold since I'm using them quite rarely now.

I think in part a lot of the effort in environmental products has been essentially a push in part to be seen as "correct" rather than just doing it because it is the right thing. Energizer could easily incorporate this 4% into their whole line of batteries and absorb the cost themselves but as too often happens these environmentally "correct" products cost MORE than their counterparts and are met with a financially "correct" response from consumers to not let companies profit off of their green initiatives. 4% savings to me is a figure that IMO statistics can IGNORE because such statistics can be doctored to either make 0% equal 4% or even make the savings a loss because of IGNORED conditions and errors in the process.
In other words Energizer is thumping their chest at beating their opponents by an average of 1 point per game in basketball so to speak and will end up being ignored by their competition who in time will have their 1 point victories to make things more even. Would I by an energizer product for 5% more in cost to be 4% more environmentally correct? Not if the performance is identical I will keep my money and even spend it on generic products that charge less such that I can purchase other products with my extra money to have me more environmentally correct (like rechargeable batteries).

 

[Str8stroke]

I guess that 4% post consumer seems like a joke to us and the price seems rather high. But, most of us probably buy more batteries than the average consumer and we don't buy with our hearts. We want performance and value. But there are likely plenty of consumers who think they are saving the planet and will buy these up regardless of price or performance. Who knows, they may actually perform very well and be worth the extra duckies?
I agree with the previous poster, I have mostly switched to the Lithium cells. I have had great luck with them.

I predict in our lifetime there will be some nano technology break through in batteries. I envision a 20000mAh AAA cell one day for .25 cents. lol That should come around the time we have Solar power installed in our homes for .10 cents a watt.