‘Call2Recycle’ and Partners Provide Free Dropoff Locations Across the US and Canada
Most people don’t think twice about the batteries powering their everyday devices—until it’s time to replace them. But when these essential energy sources run out, what happens to the spent batteries? Proper disposal is critical, as it can prevent harmful heavy metals from polluting the environment and allow valuable rare materials to be reused.
Nonprofit Call2Recycle says it has been “leading the charge for recycling” for 25 years. The group and its recycling partners currently have tens of thousands of collection centers. It welcomes rechargeable batteries, single-use batteries, cell phones, e-bike batteries, and even damaged or recalled batteries; it is now pursuing EV battery recycling.
The need for recycling centers is expected to grow as cities and states enact battery recycling laws. “Compared to fewer than 1 million today, at least 61 million Americans will be living in states with a recycling requirement for all household batteries by 2027,” Call2Recycle says.
The Evolution of Batteries
In the two and a half centuries since Alessandro Volta’s invention was inspired by electric eels, there have been steady improvements in batteries. Still, modern batteries rely on the same basic principle: Pair together materials that can generate an electrochemical reaction and snatch the electrons that are produced.
The best batteries today, producing the highest electrical output in the smallest possible container, pair lithium with one of several different metallic compounds.
Understanding Battery Recycling and Environmental Impact
Battery recycling is crucial for safeguarding both the environment and valuable resources. Batteries, especially primary or single-use types like AA, AAA, and 9V, contain toxic materials such as cadmium and lead, which can pollute the air and soil if not properly disposed of. Improper disposal also leads to the loss of critical materials like cobalt, nickel, and lithium, which are essential in producing new batteries.
Recycling helps recover these metals, reducing the need for raw material extraction. In fact, research indicates that recycling batteries could replace the need to build up to 12 new mines by 2040, which is vital for conserving natural resources.
Why Battery Recycling Matters
Discarding batteries irresponsibly can result in the contamination of air, water, and soil with heavy metals such as cadmium. For example, cadmium poisoning can lead to severe health conditions, including Itai-Itai disease. Additionally, many modern batteries, including lithium-ion, contain rare materials—such as cobalt and nickel—that can be recovered and reused through recycling. This significantly reduces the need for new mining operations. If everyone recycled their batteries, it’s estimated that the need for new mining could be reduced by up to 40% for copper and cobalt and 25% for lithium and nickel by 2050, according to the International Energy Agency.
If everyone recycled their batteries, it’s estimated that the need for new mining could be reduced by up to 40% for copper and cobalt and 25% for lithium and nickel by 2050, according to the International Energy Agency.
Call2Recycle: A Convenient Solution for Battery Recycling
Founded in the 1990s by the battery industry, Call2Recycle has focused on providing drop-off locations across the United States and Canada. It initially focused on collecting nickel-cadmium and sealed lead-acid batteries. Over time, it expanded to include other rechargeable batteries, including lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride. In 2016, the organization set their record by collecting 14 million pounds of batteries and cell phones.
Carin Stuart, director of Steward Services at Call2Recycle, explains, “Battery recycling starts with consumers and businesses gathering their used batteries and dropping them off at one of the thousands of Call2Recycle collection sites across the country.”
The batteries are then shipped to the nearest battery sorter, “where they are sorted by chemistry,” she adds. “Once sorted, truckloads of each battery type are transported to approved Call2Recycle battery processors for recycling. The recovered materials are then reintroduced into the market to be used as feedstock for new products.”
Environmental Responsibility in Battery Recycling
Call2Recycle runs its program with quality control in mind.
“Throughout the recycling process, it is essential to prioritize environmental considerations by minimizing the transportation of used batteries as much as possible,” Stuart says. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that the batteries are properly recycled and not sent to landfills, she adds. “All Call2Recycle downstream vendors undergo rigorous vetting and regular audits to ensure the appropriate processing of used batteries.”
Call2Recycle collected over 8 million pounds of batteries in the US, including 5.4 million pounds of rechargeable batteries and 2.6 million pounds of primary batteries. This was equivalent to the weight of a fully loaded cargo ship.
In 2023, Call2Recycle collected over 8 million pounds of batteries in the US, including 5.4 million pounds of rechargeable batteries and 2.6 million pounds of primary batteries. This was equivalent to the weight of a fully loaded cargo ship. US battery collections increased by 1.5% overall from 2022 with an increase of 11% for single-use battery collections.
As of 2023, more than 87% of the US population lives within 10 miles of a Call2Recycle Collection Site, according to the nonprofit’s 2023 Annual Report.
Call2Recycle’s Impact and Expansion
“Call2Recycle partners with thousands of municipalities, businesses, and institutions across the United States to responsibly and compliant collect, ship, and recycle used batteries,” Stuart says.
The retail partners, which include Lowe’s, Home Depot, Best Buy, and Staples, recycle nearly 2 million pounds of batteries per year, she says. “Our retail partners were chosen because of their national footprint, desire to provide their customers with an easy-to-use option to recycle used batteries when purchasing a new product/battery, and most importantly, our shared focus on sustainability,” she adds.
[B]efore dropping off batteries, it's important to properly protect the terminals—taping or bagging lithium, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and small sealed lead-acid batteries.
To make recycling easier for consumers, Call2Recycle offers an online battery and cell phone drop-off locator. However, before dropping off batteries, it's important to properly protect the terminals—taping or bagging lithium, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and small sealed lead-acid batteries.
Expansion into E-Bike Battery Recycling
As new batteries continue to appear on the market, the nonprofit continues to expand its collections. “Call2Recycle has broadened our focus to encompass not only consumer batteries but larger batteries utilized in e-bikes and outdoor power equipment,” Stuart says.
In 2022, its new e-bike battery recycling program handled more than 60,000 pounds of batteries, Call2Recycle says. Its program—which is endorsed by biking advocacy organization PeopleForBikes—is now supported by 56 brands and has almost 2,000 specially trained e-bike battery collection sites in the US.
Call2Recycle has plans to meet the anticipated demand for more battery recycling.
“Over the next few years, new battery Extended Producer Responsibility laws will be effective in some states and will include the requirement to collect batteries weighing between 11 and 25 pounds and having a capacity between 300 and 2,000 watt-hours,” Stuart says. “Call2Recycle will expand our collection options to include this larger range of batteries in certain states.”
*Gordon Cairns is a freelance journalist and teacher of English and Forest Schools based in Scotland.
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