Battery Recycling Program

Call2Recycle is the only free rechargeable battery and cellphone collection program in North America. Since 1996, Call2Recycle has diverted 30 million kilograms of rechargeable batteries from the solid waste stream and established a network of 30,000 public collection sites. Advancing green business practices and environmental sustainability, Call2Recycle is the most active voice promoting eco-safe reclamation and recycling of rechargeable batteries and cellphones. In adherence to the strictest and safest recycling standards, Call2Recycle has received the Responsible Recycling (R2) certification for the management of the collection and the distribution to processors for the recycling of batteries and cellphones. Founded in 1994, Call2Recycle is operated by RBRC, a non-profit organization.

Collecting and recycling batteries and cellphones through Call2Recycle is completely free to collection sites and consumers. Call2Recycle is funded by product manufacturers across the globe committed to environmentally-sound recycling of batteries and cellphones. These manufacturers place the Call2Recycle Battery Seal on their products and batteries, letting users know that the batteries need to be recycled rather than thrown in the trash.

Like newspapers, glass and plastic, batteries can and should be recycled. Consumers use an average of six wireless products – which are powered by batteries – in their day-to-day lives, and over 43 percent of people replace their cellphone every two years. Batteries and cellphones can contain metals that may be harmful to the environment if sent to landfills, but when recycled properly, can be reclaimed and used to make new products. Additionally, some cellphones can be given a new life by being refurbished and resold. The Call2Recycle program keeps millions of kilograms of batteries from entering the solid waste stream each year, preserving natural resources and helping to fulfill the mission for a more sustainable earth.

Materials reclaimed from recycled batteries can be used to make new products including new batteries, watches, bicycles, golf clubs and small appliances. 

Once collected, the batteries are sent to our recycling partners located throughout North America. There they are sorted by chemistry and melted down to make new products such as new batteries or stainless steel items. Metals that are reclaimed from batteries during the recycling process include:

• Cadmium – Found in Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, Cadmium is used to make new Ni-Cd batteries or as a stiffener in materials such as cement.
• Cobalt – Found in Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries, Cobalt is used to create new Lithium-based batteries.
• Lead – Found in Small Sealed Lead Acid (SSLA/Pb) batteries, Lead is used to make new batteries.
• Nickel – Found in Ni-Cd, Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) and Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn) batteries, Nickel is used in steel alloy products.

Cellphones are refurbished and resold when possible. A portion of the proceeds received from the resale of phones benefits select charities. Those that cannot be refurbished are recycled.

The Township Office Call2Recycle receptacle accepts all batteries up to 5 kg including Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Li-Ion, Ni-Zn and SSLA/Pb.

The Township Office Call2Recycle receptacle accepts all cellphones, with or without batteries, regardless of make, model or age.