Call2Recycle Inc., an Atlanta-based consumer battery stewardship organization, has reported that more than 5.7 million pounds of batteries have been recycled to date in 2015. The organization says this “significant environmental victory” signals battery collections are on target to grow for the 19th consecutive year.
“Partners make continued robust growth possible in collecting batteries for recycling,” says Carl Smith, CEO and president of Call2Recycle. “Not only do they contribute to convenient drop-off locations across the U.S. and Canada, they also help fuel the message to consumers on the importance of battery recycling to keep batteries out of landfills.”
Call2Recycle says with approximately 90 percent of both U.S. and Canadian residents living within 10 miles of one of the organization’s more than 34,000 public drop-off locations, battery recycling has become increasingly simple and convenient. Battery collections from this consumer-facing network, including retailers and municipalities, across both the U.S. and Canada increased by 6 percent so far in 2015, according to Call2Recycle. In the U.S., western states, northern plains and the Great Lakes regions drove the bulk of growth at 11 percent; while regionally in Canada, British Columbia and Ontario grew collections by 19 percent and 7 percent, respectively. Call2Recycle notes since its launch in 2010, British Columbia has collected and recycled more than 4.5 million pounds of batteries.
In 2014, Call2Recycle says it reached a milestone of collecting 100 million pounds in total collections throughout its network in the United States and Canada since launching in 1996.
Cultivating educated consumers and committed partners has been important for continuing to drive collection growth, Call2Recycle says. The organization explains it develops strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations to help promote consumer awareness. Partners in Canada such as Earth Rangers, Earth Day Canada and BC Green Games contributed to increased collections, resulting in 26 percent of Call2Recycle’s total growth, according to the group. Call2Recycle says dedicated efforts from municipalities, retailers and battery and product manufacturers across the U.S. and Canada also contributed to this growth.
In Canada, two new jurisdictions, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, recently reconfirmed their battery recycling commitment by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Call2Recycle, adding to the organization’s status as the provincially sanctioned program in Manitoba, Quebec and British Columbia. Additionally, the organization says it added more than 125 new Ontario municipalities to its collection network.
“Educating consumers, businesses and municipalities about the ease and importance of recycling batteries continues to be a key priority for Call2Recycle,” says Joe Zenobio, executive director of Call2Recycle Canada Inc. “Our continuously expanding collection network across Canada and the U.S., makes recycling easy and accessible.”
Founded in 1994, Call2Recycle says it operates North America’s first and largest consumer battery stewardship program. The nonprofit organization collects and recycles batteries at no cost for municipalities, businesses and consumers. Since the program’s inception, Call2Recycle says it has diverted more than 100 million pounds of batteries and cellphones from the solid waste stream and established more than 34,000 collection sites throughout the U.S. and Canada. The organization notes that it is the first program of its kind to receive the Responsible Recycling Practices (R2) certification.
Call2Recycle was profiled in the June 2015 issue of Recycling Today, which can be read here.
“Partners make continued robust growth possible in collecting batteries for recycling,” says Carl Smith, CEO and president of Call2Recycle. “Not only do they contribute to convenient drop-off locations across the U.S. and Canada, they also help fuel the message to consumers on the importance of battery recycling to keep batteries out of landfills.”
Call2Recycle says with approximately 90 percent of both U.S. and Canadian residents living within 10 miles of one of the organization’s more than 34,000 public drop-off locations, battery recycling has become increasingly simple and convenient. Battery collections from this consumer-facing network, including retailers and municipalities, across both the U.S. and Canada increased by 6 percent so far in 2015, according to Call2Recycle. In the U.S., western states, northern plains and the Great Lakes regions drove the bulk of growth at 11 percent; while regionally in Canada, British Columbia and Ontario grew collections by 19 percent and 7 percent, respectively. Call2Recycle notes since its launch in 2010, British Columbia has collected and recycled more than 4.5 million pounds of batteries.
In 2014, Call2Recycle says it reached a milestone of collecting 100 million pounds in total collections throughout its network in the United States and Canada since launching in 1996.
Cultivating educated consumers and committed partners has been important for continuing to drive collection growth, Call2Recycle says. The organization explains it develops strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations to help promote consumer awareness. Partners in Canada such as Earth Rangers, Earth Day Canada and BC Green Games contributed to increased collections, resulting in 26 percent of Call2Recycle’s total growth, according to the group. Call2Recycle says dedicated efforts from municipalities, retailers and battery and product manufacturers across the U.S. and Canada also contributed to this growth.
In Canada, two new jurisdictions, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, recently reconfirmed their battery recycling commitment by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Call2Recycle, adding to the organization’s status as the provincially sanctioned program in Manitoba, Quebec and British Columbia. Additionally, the organization says it added more than 125 new Ontario municipalities to its collection network.
“Educating consumers, businesses and municipalities about the ease and importance of recycling batteries continues to be a key priority for Call2Recycle,” says Joe Zenobio, executive director of Call2Recycle Canada Inc. “Our continuously expanding collection network across Canada and the U.S., makes recycling easy and accessible.”
Founded in 1994, Call2Recycle says it operates North America’s first and largest consumer battery stewardship program. The nonprofit organization collects and recycles batteries at no cost for municipalities, businesses and consumers. Since the program’s inception, Call2Recycle says it has diverted more than 100 million pounds of batteries and cellphones from the solid waste stream and established more than 34,000 collection sites throughout the U.S. and Canada. The organization notes that it is the first program of its kind to receive the Responsible Recycling Practices (R2) certification.
Call2Recycle was profiled in the June 2015 issue of Recycling Today, which can be read here.