Call2Recycle, Inc. recycled more than 12.6-million pounds in the United States and Canada
Atlanta, GA – January 19, 2016 –. Call2Recycle, Inc., North America’s first and largest product stewardship organization managing the only no-cost battery and cellphone collection program, reported that their collections increased five per cent during 2015 to a record 12.6-million pounds (5.7-million kilograms). Enhanced awareness contributed to record-breaking battery collections in the United States and Canada.
“Our battery recycling results are directly linked to the vital support of our program participants, consumers and key constituents,” said Carl Smith, CEO & president of Call2Recycle, Inc. “Without their environmental commitment, we would not be able to continue collecting, and arguably become one of the most successful recycling programs in North America.”
This major environmental achievement marks the 19th consecutive year the organization has generated a year-over-year increase (since collections began in 1996) in the volume of batteries diverted from landfills and recycled. Call2Recycle ensures that these items, which contain valuable resources, are responsibly recycled to create new batteries and other products, keeping potentially hazardous materials from entering the waste stream.
For more than 20 years, Call2Recycle has strived to minimize the environmental impact of products through leading the charge on responsible disposal and recycling. The organization has developed partnerships with a robust network of industry stewards (battery and product manufacturers), thousands of retailers, and municipalities to make collecting and recycling batteries free to consumers and easy. Call2Recycle credits strong, collaborative relationships as the foundation for increasing consumer awareness and driving growing collection volumes.
Not surprisingly, states and provinces with strong participation and commitment from retailers and municipalities have greater collection results. In the U.S., 7.1-million pounds (3.2-million kilograms) of batteries were collected in 2015. The great lake states and mountain regions saw the most growth at 12 per cent and 11 per cent respectively. California also reached a significant milestone, collecting more than 1-million pounds (0.45-million kilograms) of batteries for the 5th consecutive year.
Providing convenient and accessible recycling options to consumers through the establishment of close to 30,000 collection locations across North America, has also contributed to the organization’s continued success. Today, more than 90 percent of residents in the U.S. and Canada live within 10 miles (15 kilometers) of one of Call2Recycle’s public drop-off locations.
“Working together with retailers and municipalities has enabled us to enhance awareness and convenience of our program across Canada, making it quick and easy for consumers to recycle batteries,” said Joe Zenobio, Executive Director of Call2Recycle Canada, Inc. “We’re excited about our 2016 plans to build awareness about product stewardship through continued partnerships with the Retail Council of Canada, Earth Day Canada, Earth Rangers, Science World BC, Winnipeg Public Libraries, and School Boards from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island.”
Strong retail and municipal presence in Canada fostered the rise of collections in most provinces, which reached nearly 5.5-million pounds (2.5-million kilograms) of batteries collectively. British Columbia was a major contributor with a 36 per cent increase of collections from last year, totaling almost 1.4-million pounds (630,000 kilograms) of batteries.
###
Call2Recycle, Inc. (Call2Recycle) is North America’s premier product stewardship organization dedicated to minimizing the environmental impacts of products in the marketplace. Operating across the U.S. and Canada, its marquee battery recycling program Call2Recycle® is the oldest and largest consumer battery stewardship program. Collecting and recycling batteries for retailers, municipalities, businesses and consumers through its network of close to 30,000 collection sites, over 100 million pounds (45 million kilograms) of batteries and cellphones have been diverted from the solid waste stream. Learn more at call2recycle.org or call2recycle.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Ada Perez
Call2Recycle, Inc.
(678) 218-4580
