Most valuable homestead commodity?

It's TIME ... there's a million and one things to do in the day, and we've noticed that maintenance is a big chunk of that time. What keeps me from working on new infrastructure or fun projects? Daily maintenance ... it's a big part of homesteading, and ANY reduction in any area is a good thing.

What does the lowly battery have to do with all of this? In all our efforts to upgrade technology on the homestead, battery technology can't be overlooked. We are moving away from lead batteries, and most other rechargeable types, and towards LiFePO4/Lithium-Ion. Why? Reduce maintenance/handling. Increased technology benefits, and more ... however, time is the biggest savings!

If it's a flooded lead acid (FLA) or sealed (SLA) battery, we are moving away from these, just to avoid all maintenance, handling, and technology issues.

LiFePO4 for our solar battery bank (or any bank of batteries):
 - smaller (smaller size, fewer batteries, etc.), compared to FLA battery banks (larger size, heavier, in many scenarios it takes more batteries, etc.)
 - has ZERO maintenance, compared to previous FLA maintenance tasks (distilled water, gloves/mask for acid fumes, testers, and more)
 - "smarter", in that they can report in to us with their BMS or similar systems ... yet another time saver.

Lithium-Ion is present in all our "tool-line" of tools (Ryobi for us):
 - this has revolutionized our use of rechargeable batteries for most jobs, and in many cases, reduces the use of fuels (gasoline); I have a powerful gas chainsaw, but the battery versions are what is used most often; little to no maintenance, no gasoline engine issues, lighter weight; the Stihl is now only for the biggest possible jobs.
 - Battery packs are now swapped between a multitude of devices, and in many cases, pull double- or triple-duty (tool use, lighting, power inverters).

Small batteries (AA, AAA, C, D):
 - we rarely buy "disposable" versions of these (alkaline); some devices aren't letting us move to rechargeable, so we have to age/swap them out.
 - we use only rechargeable Lithium-Ion, and in recent cases, are moving to LiFePO4 versions of these (yes, they make them). If a device took 1 or more disposables, we now swap in rechargeable.

Vehicle batteries:
 - we are testing LiFePO4 batteries in our tractor and cars; the LiFePO4 vendors are starting to play ball in this area
 - the FLA vendors have raised prices enough that it's economically feasible to look at alternatives.

One of the issues in any technology upgrade is ... what to do with the old stuff? For batteries, it's recycle per the rules of your state, and per the good graces of a number of companies. For Colorado, it's as follows:

- small lead batteries: AA, AAA, C, and D batteries (non-rechargeable): put them in your trash, and thence to the landfill. It boggles the mind, but apparently, these are now designed to be thrown into the trash. This is true in most any state except California.

- small SLA batteries: take to your local Home Depot or Lowes ... usually a bin by the front entrance. If it fits thru the chute, they'll let you drop it off for free

- large FLA batteries: possibly your local Autozone will take these from you, for free; I've heard they'll give you a X dollars off coupon, so some loyalty-building effort. You can always swap an old/dead battery for a new one (core charge); perhaps save an old vehicle battery for just such an event ... it is unsightly, but unlikely to burst/deteriorate before you get it moved on (if you keep it upright).

There's plenty of other areas where time could be saved ... just don't forget the batteries ... taking advantage of the technology in this area is definitely saving us time. Battery use is really pervasive ... if time isn't being saved here, it's costing you.

Batteries are a huge issue, both from a production and disposal perspective.  There seems to be no planet friendly battery systems; accessing lithium means mining and who knows how much nastiness in processing... followed by a finite lifespan of say ten years, after which they are, it appears in most of the US, landfill.

Fortunately here in BC, Canada regular consumers are told to NOT put them in the trash, but to return them (like bottles) to be "recycled", this is for home use type AA, AAA, C, D etc.  There are dump boxes for them in handy locations like London Drugs (a large chain pharmacy, likely similar to CVC in the US).  Does that mean they never end up in the trash, unlikely, but at least it is something that is constantly made public and heartily encouraged.

Large batteries such as in cars, come with a "core fee" you pay in advance ($10?), then you return the battery to get the refund on the core; I assume this would also be the case with tractor or solar array batteries also.

50 years ago, across North America the "give a hoot, don't pollute" program led to deposits being levied on beverage containers to cut down on roadside garbage and turn those bottles into something that has value when returned for the deposit.  We have taken that idea and given used car batteries a "value" here, I don't see why that could not be done across North America, and the world.  

Of course I am assuming the collection of said batteries is not greenwashing and they are actually being safely, environmentally and ecologically recycled.