Call2Recycle forms partnership to recycle electric bicycle batteries

PeopleForBikes, a national bicycling advocacy organization and the bicycle industry’s trade association with its headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, has partnered with Call2Recycle, a battery collection, logistics and recycling program, to establish an electric bicycle battery recycling program.

According to a news release from Call2Recycle, industry analysts estimate that more than 12 million electric bicycles will be sold in the United States between 2020 and 2030. PeopleForBikes also anticipated this increase, which prompted its support for this program. The program aims to address the environmental concerns associated with lithium-ion battery recycling and ensure that batteries are safely handled and returned to the proper recycling stream at the end of life.

Call2Recycle says industry suppliers and manufacturers are signing on to support the program and fully fund battery collection and recycling nationwide. Bicycle retailers can begin enrolling in the program in February 2022, and retailer collection sites and at-home collection kits will be available in the summer of 2022.

“With the projected growth of climate-friendly electric bicycles, the batteries powering those bikes will need to be safely and responsibly collected and managed at their end of life,” says Leo Raudys, chief executive officer and president of Call2Recycle. “We are excited to be working with PeopleForBikes to establish the first voluntary, industry-led program in the electric transportation sector to ensure a safe, responsible journey for e-bike batteries from rider to recycler. We look forward to leveraging our 25 years of experience collecting and recycling 140 million pounds of batteries in the U.S. to make electric bicycle battery collection and recycling as seamless and successful as our consumer battery program.”

Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes, adds, “With millions of batteries reaching their end of life and more going into the market every year, we're excited to collaborate with Call2Recycle and the rest of the bike industry to take such a proactive step towards a more sustainable future.”