Earth, Wind & Power Blogazine

Long-Lasting Green Rechargeable Batteries

By Sara Hoffman

Frustrated with using up normal batteries all the time, or using rechargeables whose ability to recharge dwindles almost as quickly as those normal batteries? I had given up on using any electronic that requires batteries for this exact reason (not that batteries are especially good for the environment, anyways). But when I got to try UltraLast Green Everyday Rechargeables, I had to go back to using my three-year old camera that used (or should i say devoured) AA's as the true test of these batteries' worth. I had gone through packs and packs of rechargeable batteries, and all of them ended up idling in the junk drawer (One rechargeable battery can keep up to 1,000 disposable alkaline batteries out of landfills? Right).

My old, brand-name batteries would literally get tired after 5 or 6 charges. So I put these new green batteries in my old battery-guzzling camera, turned it on, put it in my purse, and went to work. Came home, put the batteries in the charger, and completed this cycle for weeks. I've got a lifetime supply of AA batteries, bundled into a dozen little green capsules.

The batteries are ready to use right out of the pack. When installed in low power consumption devices, including remote controls, clocks, flashlights, and other common household applications, UltraLast Green Everyday Rechargeables will keep their charge up to 6+ months. They can be charged as many as 500 times, for up to 3 years.

The batteries can even be purchased with a solar charger ($30) - which can be connected via USB to charge other devices like computers and cell phones. Some USB connectors are included, but most electronics come eqipped with a special USB cable anyways, so most electronics can be charged via solar.

Besides the solar charger, why are they green? Because these batteries last so long in both high-usage and low-usage devices, and can be recharged, they have their own cycle and will cycle through it in your home for at least three years, rather than just getting used up and tossed into the garbage, or losing their ability to recharge fully and ending up in the junk drawer. They can be recycled through the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) program, and are packaged in eco-friendly materials, including recycled cardboard and recyclable PET plastic.

Based on my sampling of the batteries so far, I'm pretty sure twelve of these guys, a wall/car charger and a solar charger is all I'll ever need for a lifetime supply of batteries.

For more product reviews from RTM, visit our Travel Products section.

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Eco-Friendly Travel Accessories

So you’ve finally finished planning your sustainable vacation, now you just have to pack. Well if you are thinking about shelling out some of that hard earned green, it might as well be in support of an eco-friendly company. Here are a few of our favorites to get you started:

Tire and Hemp Satchel Bag
A sturdy shoulder bag is a must for trendy travelers. This one, made of recycled tire products and pesticide-free natural hemp, tops the list in terms of eco-friendliness. Stylish, durable and weather-resistant, the bag features a turn lock closure, full lining and two outside zipper pockets for quick and easy storage. Find it here.

Silk Passport Bag
Made from natural silk and free from harsh chemicals, this Little Lucky Silk Bag is the perfect size for storing a passport. With four pockets, magnetic closure, and shoulder strap, it’s ideal for use at the airport, where crucial documents need to be kept close and often presented. Find it here.

Recycled Travel Bags
Made of reused bike inner tubes and “rediscovered special finds” like vinyl and fabrics, these sweet bags serve many purposes, from a handy passport case to a tote for toiletries. Uniquely expandable and weather-worthy, Flat Bags are full of attitude and make a refreshing eco statement too. Find it here.