Call2Recycle reveals top 10 battery recycling states

Call2Recycle, the Atlanta-based organization that heads up one of the largest consumer battery recycling programs in North America, recently revealed its program’s top performing battery recycling states by comparing collection performance with state population. According to the organization, Vermont topped the list, with Delaware, Tennessee, Minnesota, New Hampshire, California, Pennsylvania, Washington, Maryland and Texas rounding out the top 10. Through the Call2Recycle program, more than 8 million pounds of batteries were recycled in the U.S. in 2017.

Last year, the citizens of Vermont were the country’s most engaged battery recyclers because the state was the first to adopt a producer-funded stewardship plan. Vermont’s population is only 0.2 percent of the contiguous U.S. (623,657), but its residents recycled 134,500 pounds of batteries—roughly 880 percent more batteries than expected.

With 95 percent of Americans owning a cellphone and almost 50 percent owning e-readers or portable tablets, battery use is on the rise. Additionally, lithium ion batteries are growing in the market due to their light weight and high energy density. Lithium ion batteries are commonly used in items such as laptops, cellphones and cordless power tools. Throughout these batteries’ life cycle, they retain a residual charge that can prove to be dangerous if not handled properly. These factors underscore the need to responsibly recycle batteries for safe disposal.

Battery recycling carries a number of eco-friendly benefits, including preventing potentially hazardous materials from harming the environment, protecting against potential fires by keeping batteries out of the garbage and conserving valuable natural resources, Call2Recycle says.

“These results reflect the dedication of program stewards, collection partners and consumers to support communities and make a positive impact on the environment,” Carl Smith, CEO and president of Call2Recycle, says. “We congratulate these top performing states and look to leverage their experiences and best practices to further engagement of battery recycling across the country.”