BetteryCharlieKawasaki
Charlie Kawasaki, CEO of Bettery.

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Every year, 2.5 billion batteries are thrown away in the U.S. and a Portland-based company may have a better solution to both help the environment and allow for customer convenience.

Starting today, you’ll find Bettery kiosks planted at Whole Foods Markets in Portland and Seattle. The company, which was founded in 2011, has built the swap stations to allow people to buy rechargeable batteries and then exchange them when they’re out of juice.

It’ll cost you $10 to buy a set of four AA or AAA batteries, then $2.50 for every swap you make. The batteries can be reused up to 500 times.

Customers can also create accounts to take advantage of rewards programs and track their battery usage.

There are five total kiosks in service now at different Whole Foods Markets. You can find them at the Lynnwood and Roosevelt stores in Washington.

Previously on GeekWire: This mobile hand-crank phone charger just obliterated its Kickstarter goal

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