The new Cycle Energy Blue Rechargeable Batteries are pre-charged which means they can be used straight out of the pack however, unlike normal alkaline batteries, they are rechargeable up to 1,000 times, according to Sony.

Plus, the batteries retain their battery power after one year when stored correctly, and are suitable for household electrical items such as torches, remote controls and radios, as the low self discharge allows for long- term usage, the company claims.

Sony says the new batteries were developed to take the edge of batteries taking up space in landfills across Australia.

"Thousands of tonnes of disposable batteries are thrown away each year, creating an immense amount of environmental waste," said Sony Australia product manager, recording media and batteries, Maurice Satya.

"Using rechargeable batteries such as Sony's Cycle Energy Blue Rechargeable Batteries is a cleaner, more efficient way to enjoy electronic products."

The new batteries are available in AA and AAA versions and the charger has an LED indicator to show when it is charging.

To avoid over charging, a safety timer automatically stops charging after seven hours.

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