Myth-busting Series: Battery Use
Welcome to the first instalment of our myth-busting series. Over the next few issues of our newsletter, we will be looking at some common myths and misconceptions and sharing our expert knowledge to dispel them. Batteries are a critical product in NHS trusts, but not all are created the same. We sat down with Suzi Richards, Category Manager at NHS Supply Chain: Facilities and Office Solutions to find out more about the misconceptions around batteries, the benefits of recharging and recycling and how these can help with efficiency.
What are some of the common misconceptions around battery use?
There are a couple of common misconceptions around batteries. Batteries don’t have a shelf life. Your battery will lose its charge even if you do not use it and leave it unused. In this situation, the battery releases the charge between the terminals. So, if you are not using the battery, leave it with a little charge, less than half charge (40%) and store it in a cool place. In this way, this issue can be reduced. Another misconception is that storing batteries in the refrigerator extends their lifespan. While low temperatures do slow down the self-discharge rate of batteries, extended refrigeration can lead to moisture condensation and thus negatively affect battery performance. It is best to store AA alkaline batteries in a cool and dry place, away from extreme temperatures.
What are the benefits/challenges of using regular batteries over rechargeable batteries?
You can use rechargeable batteries in absolutely any device where you would normally use an alkaline battery, unless stated otherwise by the device manufacturer. There are no interference implications with using rechargeable battery brands that are different to the device brand. Downsides are that the batteries do need recharging, however the benefit is that there is less purchasing involved and most importantly it is far more sustainable and efficient.
Is it easy for NHS trusts to recycle batteries?
There is a misconception that throwing AA alkaline batteries in the regular waste is harmless. In reality, these batteries contain toxic materials such as zinc, manganese, and potassium hydroxide that can contaminate the environment if not disposed of properly. For more information on the free recycling scheme, please see the Battery Recycling leaflet on the NHS Supply Chain website, or contact our Facilities and Office Solutions helpdesk for more information.
Are rechargeable batteries more sustainable than regular alkaline?
Rechargeable Batteries could help to reduce environmental impact but only if users are dedicated to using them instead of disposables and ensuring at end of life they are disposed of/recycled in an appropriate way.
Do high power batteries always mean better performance?
Using a high-powered battery in every device will mean that it will last longer and need changing less frequently. The type of product determines the type of battery you should be using. High powered batteries are designed for use in ‘high drain’ devices such as digital cameras. High powered doesn’t mean the same power over a longer period, but rather more power being discharged at any one time. Using a high-powered battery in a digital clock for example, will not extend the life of the battery, so you should just use an ordinary battery.
NHS Supply Chain: Facilities and Office Solutions offers a Batteries, Lighting Tools, and Associated Facilities Management Consumables framework as part of our portfolio. To discuss your requirements get in touch with our helpdesk.