Environmental considerations aside, on the face if it, rechargeable batteries would seem to make sense. It takes a bit of discipline to keep your rechargeable batteries and their recharger where you can find them when you need them, but is it all worth it?

The typical AA rechargeable battery can take about 2,000 recharges before it begins to decrease its charge capacity and needs to be disposed of. The electricity required to recharge one costs about 1 cent.

2,000 Alkaline Batteries at $2.85 / 4-pack,
4,000 Ah for $1,425

4 Nimh Batteries $12
One charger $30
2,000 charges @ 1c each $20
4,000 Ah for $61

Clearly, it's worth it to use rechargeables. The trick is to stop buying disposable batteries and have enough of a supply of rechargeable ones, plus rechargers, to cover all the equipment in your household that requires batteries simultaneously. Easy enough with a bit of planning.