With nearly 12 million pounds (5.4 million kilograms) of batteries and cellphones collected through Call2Recycle’s network in both the United States and Canada in 2014, the organization once again surpassed its total weight collected and recycled from the year before. Last year’s amount also contributed to the 100 million pound (45 million kilograms) milestone achieved by Call2Recycle since its collection efforts first began in 1996.
This nearly 20 year growth record confirms that residents on both sides of the border not only understand the importance of battery recycling, but are taking action. In fact, Canadians recycled more batteries in the first 10 months of 2014 than in all of 2013. Specifically, the provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec all recorded double digit collection growth numbers over 2013. Meanwhile, the state of California, which collected over 1 million pounds of batteries (454,000 kilograms) in 2014, led the U.S. collections. Overall, collections in conjunction with municipalities, mixed with successful national retail partnerships propelled the 2014 gains throughout North America. Among businesses, the manufacturing industry led the charge, as Call2Recycle’s industry stewards participation (those who fund the program but also participate as collectors) were key drivers of growth in this segment.
