Technology never ceases to amaze me. I knew we were capable of coming up with something like this, but you don’t really appreciate it until you see it. One of my new favorite products is definitely this one: USBCell by Moixa Energy. These batteries are rechargeable by USB port (laptop, PC, game console) and you can re-use them hundreds of times. The coolest feature is that the batteries have intelligent charging. This means that they have LED lights that indicate the charge status, a smart end-of-charge detection and a timed charge. Charging them for just a few minutes provides extra hours of instant use!!! Other rechargeable batteries definitely don’t have that luxury.
Fifteen billion batteries are made and sent to landfills each year. If each battery was lined up tip to end, the amount of batteries would reach the moon and back. The average American buys and tosses out about eight batteries a year. Four batteries average about $8, so you spend on average $16 a year on batteries. Those batteries die and are tossed out, money wasted. Wouldn’t you rather invest money into a battery that you could recharge?? Without a special charger?
The USBCell is $17.49 for two batteries. This seems expensive, but you have to think of it as an investment! Like the majority of green products, they cost more initially, but SAVE money in the short and long term. Think about it this way. Do you own wireless controllers for Wii or XBOX 360? Each of those controllers takes two AA batteries. For Wii, a Powerstation Charger and 2 Battery Packs cost $39. For XBOX 360, the play and charge kit ($18) and two rechargeable battery packs ($24) cost $42. I found both of these prices on Amazon. If you bought the USBCell battery you would get four rechargeable batteries for $34.98…for all you whose math is a little rusty…THIS IS CHEAPER!!
The AA batteries are the only ones available right now, but they have numerous future products. These include AAA, C, D, 9V, Phone and Device batteries. Even though the future products are currently unavailable, the website offers the chance to request an alert when they are available. Click here and then click learn more about a future product. Then there will be a button to register for product launch alert!
Now this one excites me! I recycle batteries (even from work) by collecting them in a couple coffee cans a year and turning them in on recycle day. Aside from having to maintain that inventory of batteries all year, I cringe when I look at the cans full of money I have wasted! Finally, I can be “green” without extra effort or cost…great job Courtney!
I really see the advantage at work. We all use a wireless mouse and our IT department is recharging batteries for us, but imagine how convenient it will be to simply charge them yourself with no extra charging devices, cords, etc cluttering your desk or office!
…can’t wait to get to work!!!!