Home Depot reaches recycling milestone

The Home Depot, headquartered in Atlanta, has announced that it recycled more than 1 million pounds of rechargeable batteries in 2016 through its in-store takeback program, in partnership with Call2Recycle, a nonprofit organization with U.S. headquarters in Atlanta. The Home Depot says it is Call2Recycle’s first North American retail partner to achieve this milestone in a single year.

Call2Recycle is a nonprofit product stewardship program that provides a takeback recycling service at more than 2,000 Home Depot stores across the U.S. and Canada. In total, Home Depot has recycled more than 8 million pounds of rechargeable batteries since the partnership launched in 2001.

Customers can drop off their rechargeable batteries in collection bins at Home Depot stores. The bins are then shipped to facilities where they are sorted and recycled. Various metals are extracted and used to create new stainless steel products, including pots and pans, new batteries and even golf clubs.  

“For 16 years, The Home Depot has made battery collection and recycling part of its environmental commitment,” says Carl Smith, CEO and president of Call2Recycle. “We recognize and applaud The Home Depot’s efforts not only for reaching this significant milestone of diverting 1 million pounds of batteries from landfills, but for their role in helping to raise consumer awareness around battery recycling.”