Better Living > Frugal Living > TipsSeptember 30, 2009

Remove Batteries From Disposable Cameras

Did you know there is an AA size battery, and sometimes a AAA battery, inside disposable cameras that is used to power the camera flash?

When you take these cameras in to be developed just let the clerk know that you would like to have the battery inside back. Almost every one of us have some sort of electronics that we could use the rest of the life of that battery for and be saving some money by doing it.

And, whether or not you use disposable cameras, it certainly wouldn't hurt to ask the person doing the film developing if they have any batteries from other people's cameras or if they would mind starting to take them out and save them for you. Hey, it doesn't even have to be your favorite film developing store. Just visit a few and ask if they are willing to keep them for you and just be sure to pick them up every week or two.

It never hurts, nor does it cost anything to ask. :)

By Deeli from Richland, WA

Feedback

Read feedback for this post below.

By
10/15/2009

Thank you to those who posted here and voted for me! Very much appreciated!

By
10/06/2009

What a clever, money saving idea. I don't think I would ever have thought of this.

By
09/30/2009

It really makes a lot of good sense! Those disposable cameras sure don't use those batteries all up, they must have plenty of good use for them, and they sure don't need to be thrown away, so how many of them have been thrown away for all of those years I now wonder?

Related

Archived Discussions

Below you can read previous posts and comments about this topic. The discussions on this page has been archived 1 time. Select a discussion and read the feedback here.

(Archived Sep 30, 2009)Remove Batteries From Disposable Cameras

Tip: Remove Batteries From Disposable Cameras

My father taught me this frugal tip: The batteries in a disposable camera are reusable! Before you get the film/disposable camera developed take out the batteries which are normally AA which normally work in remote controls.

Source: My father

By GingerLilyMay from Bedford Hills, NY

Feedback:

RE: Remove Batteries From Disposable Cameras

I never knew this, this is a great tip. (01/02/2008)

By velmaisqueenus

RE: Remove Batteries From Disposable Cameras

I would appreciate knowing HOW to do this. Sounds great if it is not dangerous in any way. Where are the batteries in one of those? How do you open it without damaging the film to be developed? Thanks. (01/03/2008)

By spoostad

RE: Remove Batteries From Disposable Cameras

This is not a good idea. It says right on the camera that they are not to be opened! My husband is an assistant mgr. for one of the major drugstore chains and as such he sometimes has to cover in their photo dept. I can't tell you the number of times that he has had people tell him that they tried to open the camera and got a nasty electric shock. Please don't try to open them. Also, you should never use "used" batteries in any other item. (01/03/2008)

By lovethosehounds

RE: Remove Batteries From Disposable Cameras

Hello again - - - I am adding on to my above post. Not only can you get a shock, but you can also burn your hand. My hubby had to deal with a customer who did just that. The cameras are only supposed to be opened by someone in a photo dept. who knows what they are doing. The only reason they are to be opened is to remove the film, once again by someone who knows what they are doing. (01/03/2008)

By lovethosehounds

RE: Remove Batteries From Disposable Cameras

I might suggest if you really want your used batteries, just ask the photo-lab for them when you take in the camera. The photo lab just collects them all in a bin and sends them back to Kodak or Fugi who in turn probably test them and recycle them or dispose of them. They would be yours just for the asking. (01/03/2008)

By Joycer

Post Feedback

Your thoughts are welcomed and appreciated. Enter your feedback here!

Feedback:

Image Upload:

Add an image to your post! Click the "Browse" button above and select an image from your hard drive. Please only select gifs or jpegs. If you have any problems, please contact us.

  

facebook like arrowLike ThriftyFun on Facebook

Browse Topics

Over 80,000 tips, recipes, questions & crafts.

Ask a Question

Submit a question to the TF community.

Subscribe to ThriftyFun Newsletters!

Email: