Dive Brief:
- Call2Recycle has announced an expanded 'all battery service' that will provide a one-stop battery collection option for all single-use (AA, AAA, 9v, D-cell and button cell) and rechargeable batteries under 11 pounds, according to a press statement.
- The service will be available at all Call2Recycle collection locations as well as through a pay-as-you-go battery box collection kit, which is targeted at businesses and government agencies.
- In the statement, Call2Recycle also touts the success of single-use battery collections in Vermont, which increased by 3000% after a statewide law requiring single-use battery recycling went into effect in 2016.
Dive Insight:
Call2Recycle's new battery collection approach mirrors the "single-stream" approach to waste collection. CEO Carl Smith notes that by combining collection for various types of batteries, consumers "don't need to figure out which can and can't be recycled," which adds an element of convenience to the experience.
It is assumed that Call2Recycle will see success with this program, as their success has been trending upward. In January, the organization reported that it collected 14 million pounds of batteries and phones across the U.S. and Canada in 2016, a 12% increase by weight from the previous year.
Smith also notes that the growth in battery collection can be attributed to the growth in technology across all aspects of consumer life. This technology boom has caused organizations to "rethink" recycling as consumers quickly use and dispose of a wealth of battery-operated devices, such as cell phones and small appliances. As manufacturers continue to produce these types of small devices, it will be crucial that organizations develop ways to collect and dispose of the items — all while educating consumers on how to participate properly.
