MoneySavers & Green Products...

There are about 15 billion batteries manufactured each year. Most are alkalines, discarded after a single duty cycle.

Maybe you've tried rechargeable batteries in the past, and were unimpressed by their duty life or high cost. But -- like Compact Fluorescent Bulbs -- rechargeables have come a long way in the past few years. The current generation of lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries compare well to conventional alkaline cells in terms of performance, and can be charged hundreds of times before replacement.

If you're using more than a dozen or so disposables each year, you can save money and reduce landfill waste by making the switch to rechargeable batteries (remember -- all batteries should be disposed or recycled properly). They're more expensive at the register: A pack of 4 AA cells goes for about $10, and you'll need a smart charger appropriate to your battery type and size. But at about 10 cents per use, they're a green living no-brainer. Charge up!