Corporate Culture...

Looking through this week's Rite Aid flyer, I was shocked to see not two, not three, but four different listings for disposable batteries -- including one "mega pack" of 16 AAs.

I know it's Christmas time, which means a lot of new toys that run on batteries, but isn't it time we made the switch to rechargeables?

Even better, how about we use this season to help everyone make the switch?

Rechargeable batteries obviously cost more than regular batteries. You need to buy a charger too, so the initial cost can be quite high (higher than a "mega pack," anyway). But the savings really add up in the long-run. Rechargeable batteries have longer life spans than disposables, so they ultimately cost less than having to buy new batteries every few weeks or months.

Disposable batteries are also a terrible pollutant when they aren't recycled properly -- and you can rest assured that most disposable batteries just end up in the trash, where they leach chemicals into the ground and water tables.

So consider this gift for yourself and your loved ones: a battery charger and a few packs of rechargeable batteries. Try to pick a charger that will handle multiple sizes of batteries, as well as the two main kinds of rechargeables, Ni-MH and Li-Ion. Give multiple types of batteries, too -- sizes and kinds, so your recipient can use them in a wide variety of devices.

If we really commit to this, we can totally phase out disposable batteries in a year or two. That's just as easy as our recent change to CFLs.

So give it a shot. Isn't it about time?