Call2Recycle entails increased battery recycling on National Battery Day

By Paul Ploumis

ScrapMonster Author

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Call2Recycle-North America’s first and largest used battery stewardship and recycling organization has called for increased collection and recycling of used batteries on the occasion of National Battery Day on Saturday, February 18th, 2017. It urged customers to actively take part in leading the charge by ensuring maximum use of the various battery recycling locations spread across the US and Canada. Call2Recycle has also decided to organize a series of consumer awareness campaigns to mark the day.

According to Linda Gabor, vice president of marketing and customer service at Call2Recycle Inc., consumers must show increased responsibility in responsibly recycling used batteries, not just on National Battery Day but all year long. She noted that 88% of North Americans have access to one of the Call2Recycle drop-off locations within 10 miles radius. Call2Recycle will team up with its numerous battery collection partners to raise consumer awareness on disposing and recycling of old batteries. Furthermore, it requested the co-operation of collection sites and partners in spreading the word about the National Battery Day campaign.

Call2Recycle noted that National Battery Day is a celebration of the vital role played by batteries in our everyday lives. In addition, it also focuses on the importance of realizing the ease and importance of recycling them at the end of their useful lives. A recently conducted survey had shown that though more than 50% of consumers were aware of battery recycling in their communities, only 4 out of 10 classified themselves as battery recyclers. The top reasons cited for not recycling batteries were the ease to throw them away than recycling and lack of knowledge about battery recycling locations.

The battery recycling stewardship organization had reported record-breaking collection of used batteries in Canada during 2016. The total collection of household batteries exceeded 2.7 million kilograms during the year, registering 12% year-on-year rise. Call2Recycle’s battery collection had totaled only around 2.4 million kilograms during 2015. Various Canadian provinces recorded significant jump in battery collections in 2016. Manitoba reported 18% rise in collections, followed by Quebec with 17%. B.C and Ontario reported 8% surge in battery collection volumes during the year. Also, it is estimated that more than 6.5 billion single-use and rechargeable batteries are sold in the US every year. More than 99% of lead batteries are recycled within the country, thus making it the most recycled consumer product.

Recently, Call2Recycle had announced its new all-battery recycling program allowing recycling of both alkaline and rechargeable batteries. The new program allows recycling of primary batteries. Additionally, the rechargeable battery recycling will transition to a fee-based model for some customers, effective April this year. The shift from “no-cost” to fee-based service is necessary towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of the program, Call2Recycle noted.

Call2Recycle, Inc. is a not-for-profit, stewardship organization committed to the safe collection, transportation and recycling of consumer batteries and cellphones across Canada (Call2Recycle Canada, Inc.) and the U.S. Founded in 1994, the organization works on behalf of stakeholders to protect and preserve the environment by providing its battery and cellphone recycling program.