What are the biggest challenges in consumer battery recycling today?
There are a number of factors that need to be addressed around consumer battery recycling, starting with safety as the lead focus. It animates everything that we do. At the core, our work is about driving awareness, increasing collection, and building out a robust network of battery sorters and processors. We’ve been building the systems to do all of this over the last 30 years, and we’re now the nation’s leading consumer battery recycling program. We have worked to create a compliant and secure infrastructure that aligns with regulations and has the support of over 220 battery and product manufacturers and nearly 9000 drop off sites. This has led to the recycling of more than 160 million pounds of batteries since our inception in 1994.
How does Call2Recycle’s new program work, and what makes it different from existing initiatives?
Call2Recycle brings together all the pieces of the consumer battery recycling puzzle (education and awareness outreach, secure and compliant packaging, safety training, manufacturer support, drop-off site partners) to safely and responsibly recycle consumer batteries. We partner with OEMs to fund our work and have deep relationships with leading national retailers and other partners to collect used batteries. Once a consumer drops off one of these larger batteries at a collection site, we coordinate delivery of those batteries to sorting locations, where batteries are consolidated into single chemistry types that are then shipped to recycling processors. We carefully vet all of the sorters and recyclers that participate in our network, so consumers can be confident that their batteries are being recycled safely and responsibly.
What types of large batteries can be recycled through this program, and how can consumers participate?
The High Energy Battery Program accepts li-ion batteries over 300-watt hours produced and sold by the seven manufacturers funding the program. These batteries are commonly found in battery operated outdoor power equipment, such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and string trimmers.
What role do businesses and policymakers play in improving battery recycling rates?
Businesses can improve recycling rates by participating in our take-back program, focusing on consumer education and taking a more active role in how batteries are disposed of at end-of-life. Manufacturers can get involved with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs, invest in recycling technology and improve the design of products with batteries for easy removal. Policy makers can get involved by supporting battery EPR legislation and regulation around battery recycling laws, and support investments in battery recycling incentives. That will help to improve the necessary infrastructure and promote awareness to the public about battery recycling.
Can you share any early success stories or expected outcomes from this initiative?
The fact that 7 leading companies had the foresight to partner with us on this initiative is a huge success in and of itself. Chervon, Husqvarna, Makita, Stanley Black & Decker, STIHL, Techtronic Industries, and The Toro Company should all be commended on their efforts to promote a circular economy and solve a pressing consumer problem, namely, “What do I do with the battery when it’s no longer working?” It’s a big innovative step forward and it’s only just begun.
What are the next steps for Call2Recycle in advancing sustainable battery disposal?
Our High Energy Battery and E-Bike Battery Recycling programs are the most recent examples of our ongoing efforts to responsibly address the need to recycle the batteries increasingly found in batteries all over the world. We’ve begun working with EV manufacturers to provide logistics and recycling solutions for EV batteries, including hybrid batteries, so you’ll be seeing more of that in the future.
