Three billion batteries get thrown away each year in the United States, according to GreenIT. The waste and recycling industry bears the brunt of the effects, having to manage the hazardous items that can combust and cause fires.
Call2Recycle, a U.S.-based battery recycling and stewardship program, has diverted a total of 140 million pounds of batteries from going to landfills since its conception in 1994.
In order to collect all of this waste, the cooperative has set up 15,000 drop-off sites across the country by working with retail stores such as The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Staples. This has allowed them to make battery recycling drop-offs more accessible to Americans.
Using this method, Call2Recycle has been able to collect more than 8.1 million pounds of consumer batteries for recycling in the U.S in 2021.
For them to collect high amounts of battery waste, public awareness of the issue is essential. This is why Call2Recycle works very intently at spreading information on appropriate and safe battery recycling.
This year for America Recycles Day, Waste360 and Call2Recycle have partnered up to share five ways to easily and safely implement battery recycling into your life.