Call2Recycle says that it has collected 14 million pound of batteries and cell phones across the United States and Canada, which represents a 12% increase between 2015 and 2016. Consumer awareness, municipal participation and corporate diligence are the reasons for the increase.
That is according to Recycling Today, which also says that 8 million pounds of that came from the United States. The collection program has 30,000 drop off locations around this country that it says are within 10 miles of most citizens. Over two decades, Call2Recycle has diverted 129 million pounds of batteries from landfills, reports the publication.
“Thanks to the support of our dedicated industry stewards and collection partners, Call2Recycle’s program has achieved unprecedented success through increasing consumer awareness,” says Carl Smith, CEO and president of Call2Recycle, as reported by Recycling Today. “By offering a convenient, comprehensive and flexible recycling solution for both rechargeable and primary batteries, we are winning in the effort to make it easier for people to recycle their batteries throughout North America.”
According to the publication, the growth has come about in part by legislation led by Vermont. It is the first state to require producers to finance a collection and recycling program for single use or primary batteries. Call2Recycle has thus put up multiple drop-off points, enabling more companies to participate and to divert old batteries from landfills.