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GOVERNMENTS/MUNCIPALITIES
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CITY OF CALABASAS BATTERY RECYCLING PROGRAM
Order the battery recycling collection tubes. Once the tubes were ordered and received, it was easier to obtain approval to house the tubes in several community centers because community members had something to look at and understand how it would fit in their buildings. In some instances, it was helpful to leave a tube with an organization so that all decision makers could see it before making a decision. Starting off with city-owned facilities was a natural fit. Once these locations were established collection sites, we then branched out to a grocery store and the local water district.
Develop a small sign. With the help of the city's media department, I developed a small laminated sign to post by the recycling tube. This sign explained which types of batteries were accepted and whom to call when the tube is full or needs replacing.
Contact the local media. I wrote up a small summary of why battery recycling is beneficial to the community and the locations of where to drop-off used up batteries. The city's media department sent this summary to the local newspaper and several newsletters. It was helpful to include my phone number and to state that the battery drop-off is year round and free. The city's media department also advertised this service on our website and local cable station.
Pick up the batteries. This can be done a couple different ways. I usually make a round to the different collection sites after about a week or two depending on the site. Some sites have required much less monitoring such as bi-annually. Instead of making rounds to each site, staff from these collection sites can call you when the tubes are almost full. I collect the batteries (bringing a bucket purchased from Battery Solutions and a dolly) and bring them back to city hall. Then I call Battery Solutions and schedule a pick up for the next day. At the beginning I would leave some batteries in the tube so people could "get the picture" without having to stop and read the sign.
Follow up with more PR. During this past holiday season, I submitted another press release about battery recycling stating "almost every household has used up batteries due to the gift-giving season." By tying in battery recycling to the holiday season, it made the article more timely and interesting.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any further questions about our program.
Contact: Robin Hull
Environmental Services Dept.
26135 Mureau Road
City of Calabasas, CA 91302
rhull@cityofcalabasas.com
818 878 4242
ERIE COUNTY SOLID
WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
HOUSEHOLD BATTERY RECYCLING PROGRAM
The Erie County (Ohio) Solid Waste District began a household battery recycling program for residents in 1997. Prior to that time, the District held several one-day collection events for batteries. Although the response was excellent, the method was not very efficient, since people generally do not save batteries for a recycling event, but throw them away if no recycling method is immediately available.
In 1997, the District investigated methods of providing year-round, continuously available opportunities for recycling household batteries. It was decided to place collection buckets in small, retail stores with regular, local clientele such as small hardware or grocery stores. Six retail stores agreed to collect batteries on a continuous basis, and take the responsibility for shipping them via UPS to Battery Solutions. The District agreed to pay for the processing, reimburse the stores for shipping charges, and supply them with collection buckets, labels and packing slips.
The amount of batteries collected has grown each year. In 1997, the first year of the program, 360 pounds of batteries were shipped and processed. In the second year, nearly a ton of batteries were collected. In 2003, 4,857 pounds were collected.
Costs have remained fairly constant, ranging from a low of $.99 per pound for shipping and processing to a high of $1.15 per pound. Cost per pound in 2003 was $1.06.
Although the number of retail collection points remains at six, the District has expanded the program in other areas. Collection buckets are located in several county buildings and the county office where people come to pay their water and sewer bills. We also began a battery collection program with contests, classroom programs and promotions in one local school system in 2003 and plan to start one in another school system in 2004. In the fall of 2003, we kicked off a battery recycling program for faculty and students at the local campus of Bowling Green State University. The District pays for the processing and reimburses the schools for shipping as is done with the retail collection points.
The program has been very successful for all concerned. The stores are satisfied and very cooperative since the program brings customers into their stores on a regular basis. The teachers and schools welcome the practical lesson about recycling and resource conservation for their students. The District is very pleased that the program continues to operate and grow with minimal intervention and labor.
Battery Solutions, Inc. has been servicing our battery waste management needs since 1997. Needless to say we are very pleased with their service.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any further questions about our program.
Contact: Pat Tomazic, District Coordinator
Erie County Solid Waste District
554 River Road
P.O. Box 469
Huron, OH 44839
419-433-7303
ptomazic@erie-county-ohio.net
ISEN BATTERY RECYCLING PROGRAM
Overview
The Illinois Student Environmental Network is a small 501C(3) not for profit organization, committed to empowering student leaders in Illinois to enact positive environmental change on pressing environmental issues. Our primary focus addresses the need to provide young people with the activism skills they need to take directed civic action on behalf of a clean environment. Now in its second year, the ISEN Battery Recycling Program was established to promote the recycling of household batteries in Champaign County. Since the majority of the county's population resides within the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana, efforts have focused on establishing drop-off points in these two cities.
HISTORY
ISEN launched its battery recycling program in May of 2002 with a modest goal of recycling 1,400 pounds of batteries in the first year of the program. ISEN believed recycling to be an issue which matched well with its commitment to community service. The recycling of household batteries seemed particularly desirable to our organization because no other entity in the local community was recycling batteries on a significant scale. Dry cell batteries are easily transported, stored and are generally delivered to us in a clean and sanitary state. Taking this into consideration, drop-off locations were established at the ISEN offices, ISEN table at the weekly Urbana farmer's market and at other supportive businesses around the Champaign-Urbana area.
Because of the wide appeal of battery recycling in the community, the program also provided ISEN with the opportunity to engage the public in a significantly new manner. The battery recycling program was often a springboard for bringing individuals into our organization to work on other pressing environmental issues. In particular, the drop-off location at the farmers' market table provided our organization with a unique new opportunity to discuss our work with the market's "through traffic" and other individuals who had not previously supported our work.
LOCATIONS & ADVERTISING
The drop-off locations are the lifeblood of the ISEN BATTERY RECYCLING PROGRAM. ISEN purchased 5 gallon buckets from Battery Solutions, Inc. and distributed these buckets to participating drop-off sites. At the present time our drop-off locations include:
Illinois Student Environmental Network
110 S. Race Street
Urbana, IL
Urbana Park District's
Phillips Recreation Center
505 W. Stroughton, Urbana, IL
Anita Purves Nature Center
1301 N. Broadway
Urbana, IL
University YMCA
1001 S. Wright
Champaign, IL
Urbana Farmer's Market
ISEN Booth
Urbana, IL
Participating drop-off sites have agreed to place a receptacle at their location along with a sign describing the program and a jar for donations. Batteries are collected weekly and at times representatives at the drop-off sites will call the ISEN office to let us know if there are excessive batteries accumulating at a particular site.
At its current level of operation, the battery recycling program has not needed to advertise. The limits of the program exist to the extent our organization is able to fund and staff the program. ISEN has not invested any significant effort in advertising the program for fear that we will be unable to keep up with the anticipated number of batteries produced by advertising.
FUNDING
The main obstacle our organization faces with respect to our battery recycling program is funding. ISEN was able to secure a modest amount of grant funding to support the program and the rest of our funding came in the form of drop-off donations. In order to continue the program at its current level, ISEN must secure more grant funding to cover the costs. While individual contributions on-site could possibly increase through a more directed effort, it does not appear that individual contributions will specifically defray the costs of shipping and recycling..
STAFFING AND STORAGE
Because of the financial limitation mentioned above, ISEN is not able to pay a staff member to coordinate the battery recycling program. At this point, a single volunteer is responsible for picking up battery buckets, sorting the batteries and shipping the batteries to Battery Solutions Inc. ISEN will be undertaking a volunteer recruitment drive in the Spring to address this problem and bring more volunteers to the program. In its current form our program is one which can and should be run primarily by volunteers.
Once batteries are collected from the drop-off locations they are stored in a volunteer's garage (or in his/her basement in the Winter months). Batteries are sorted and labeled for shipping from this location. This has proven to be a most effective arrangement for storing batteries between shipping dates.
Battery Solutions Inc. has been an extremely helpful throughout the process of establishing and running the battery recycling program.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any further questions about our program.
Contact: Andy Borbely
Campus Energy/Efficiency Coordinator
ISEN
110 S. Race, Ste. 202
Urbana, IL 61801
217 384 0830
andy@isenonline.org
LOGAN COUNTY BATTERY RECYCLING PROGRAMS
COUNTY DROP-OFF RECYCLING
Logan County Litter Prevention & Recycling & the Solid Waste District offers 5 area county recycling drop-off sites in small communities/villages which will accept household dry cell batteries. These recycling drop off sites are open every Saturday from 8 am to 12 noon. These county drop-off sites average between 150 and 200 lbs of batteries per month.
CURBSIDE
The City of Bellefontaine has a Pay As You Throw trash program and residents are given the opportunity to participate in curbside recycling. Approximately 4500 households participate in this effort. Household dry-cell batteries are an allowable item as long as they are placed in a separate battery bag on the top of the recycling bin. The curbside recycling program averages about 120 and 150 lbs of batteries per month.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY
Logan County offers a Household Hazardous Waste Day free to any Logan County resident, usually the 2nd weekend of June and we will collect both well cell and dry cell household batteries at this event.
Batteries are collected at each destination in a 5 gal bucket and when full then transported to my location and stored until ready for shipment. Logan County LPR/SWD participates in the PAIL MAIL® program with Battery Solutions.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any further questions about our program.
Contact: Angel Snyder
Office Manager
Logan County
Litter Prevention & Recycling
Solid Waste Department
1855 State Rte. 47 W
Belle Fontaine, OH 43311
937 599 1253
locolpr@2access.net
GREEN TEAM HOUSEHOLD BATTERY COLLECTION PROGRAM
The GREEN TEAM HOUSEHOLD BATTERY COLLECTION PROGRAM began in December of 2000, right before the holiday and the beginning of an increase in used batteries from all the games and toys. The battery collection program is one element of our comprehensive county recycling program that includes curbside collection for over 75,000 residents and 24 community drop-off sites throughout Mahoning County.
A basic simple approach to collection's one of the reasons why we feel this program works for the GREEN TEAM. The battery collection activity was easy to implement and is very effective in diverting recyclable/reusable waste from the landfill.
The battery collection program was part of media blitz used to increase overall recycling participation in Mahoning County. The GREEN TEAM initialized TV, newspapers, press conference and flyers to promote this activity.
A cooperative effort was arranged with the County library system allowing collection boxes to be placed in all branches. Boxes were also set up in schools and government buildings. The school boxes were an added bonus in that student became the ones doing the recycling and encouraged their parents to become more involved in recycling.
We designed the collection program as an easy concept from an educational standpoint to understand. The battery collection boxes are very visual and attractive. They are actually four-foot high insulated beverage containers on wheels that convenience stores use to display their beverages. In our case they were made up to resemble a giant battery and the wrap identifies the GREEN TEAM and the battery collection program. Bright yellow collection bags are distributed and hung with the collection boxes at all the sites. The bags are printed with a complete description of what types of batteries are accepted along with illustrations and how to identify the various types of batteries that are accepted in this program.
Another unique arrangement with the library is that their courier system collects batteries from all its branches and takes them to one central location at the main branch. In that way we only have to pick up batteries from one site. We also established a cooperative effort with the county corrections agency to supply manpower to collect batteries from the other sites throughout the county. They are then brought to our office for sorting and packaging. Only a small area is needed to complete this task.
One really great element of the program is that we were looking for an individual who could work part-time sorting the batteries yet maintain a low economic impact on the program. Fortunately, we were able to offer a permanent part-time position to an industrious and capable wheel-chair-bound gentleman. He works an average of ten hours a month sorting and packaging the collected batteries. It's a double bonus that the GREEN TEAM is able to conduct a battery collection program and provide a purposeful opportunity for this handicapped person.
Very quickly, it became apparent that the battery collection program was evolving into an extremely popular activity for residents. The program has continued to grow as the following statistics indicate:
OVERVIEW OF MARION COUNTY'S
BATTERY RECYCLING PROGRAM
Marion County is located in the Willamette Valley which lies between Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range and the lower Coastal Range. Agriculture and government employment are the area's main industries. The largest city is Salem, the state capital. The County's population is 288,000. Seventeen percent of the county's population is Hispanic and 3% is Russian. There are six cities larger than 4,000 residents and a total of 18 that have curbside recycling and garbage services.
Marion County has a franchise of eight garbage and recycling haulers. Approximately 85% of the garbage collected is burnt for energy recovery at a waste-to-energy facility located within the County. The Department of Public Works - Environmental Services is the agency that manages the disposal and recycling in the county. It is primarily funded from tipping fees at this facility. The County's recovery rate in 2002 (the most recent data available) was 56.7% - one of the highest in the Pacific Northwest.
In order to reduce the toxicity of the waste stream and to satisfy a growing public demand for battery recycling, Marion County began a battery collection program in January of 1999. The following battery types were targeted:
AAA to D size consumer batteries (both alkaline and "heavy duty")
9-volt batteries (like that used in smoke alarms)
Large "lantern" batteries (6 volt - 9 volt)
Button batteries (typically used in watches and cameras)
Rechargeable battery packs-NiCad, NiMH or Lithium Ion (typically used in laptop computers, cellular phones, etc.)
Wet cell batteries (used in vehicles) are also collected at our two transfer stations and recycled or recharged by a local company.
In 1999 we collected 6.3 tons.
In 2000 we collected 15.7 tons.
In 2001 we collected 19.6 tons.
In 2002 we collected 25.9 tons.
This growth is mainly attributed to an increased awareness of the program. There have been no significant changes to the program since its inception that would account for the growth. The collection rate is expected to stabilize in the upcoming year or two. Of the batteries collected, 17% were rechargeables (Nickel Cadmium Dry, Nickel Metal Hydride, and Lithium-Ion). Approximately 85% of the batteries collected (excluding wet cell batteries used in cars and other vehicles) are alkaline. Of these alkaline, about 85% are sizes AA and AAA. There has been a constant decline of mercury containing batteries, likely due to the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act of 1996, which prohibits the sale of certain types of mercury-containing batteries (i.e., alkaline-manganese, zinc-carbon, button cell mercuric-oxide, and other mercuric-oxide batteries) in the United States.
Marion County Public Works - Environmental Services collects batteries in a few different ways. Roughly 85% of the batteries are collected through the curbside recycling program. The vast majority of households have 90 gallon roll carts for biweekly commingled recycling collection. Glass, motor oil, latex paint and batteries are placed in a separate bin. The commingled recycling curbside set-out rate is about 90%.The bin set out rate (for glass, motor oil, latex paint, and batteries) is about 15%. Of all the batteries collected in Marion County, approximately 85% of them are collected through the curbside program.
The batteries that are collected in the curbside bins must be placed in a clean, self-sealing type bag (i.e. Zip-Lock). This helps to prevent leakage, it keeps them drier, and it helps to keep them from spilling. The garbage and recycling haulers collect these items separately and bring them to their main offices.
Marion County residents that do not have curbside recycling and businesses can bring their batteries to one of the two transfer stations or to one of the 20 participating stores.These stores display a poster or window sticker notifying customers that they accept batteries free of charge for recycling. They are typically collected in the electronics or film area of their store. An effort was made to get chains to sign on to the program so that residents know that any of the chain's stores within the county will accept them. Stores that may generate larger quantities of batteries (i.e. photo, jewelry, electronics and outdoor stores, hospitals, retirement communities) were also targeted. About three times a year these businesses call to have the three gallon bucket emptied. These batteries are then brought to the County's recycling center at the main transfer station. Because curbside collection is so easy, only 10% of all the batteries collected in the program are from the stores or dropped off at the transfer station's recycling centers.
Marion County's Juvenile Department plays an important role in the program. Every two weeks the Department of Public Works - Environmental Services hires the County's Juvenile Department to drive to the eight garbage haulers' offices to collect the batteries, latex paint, and motor oil. The crews consist of five teenagers and one adult supervisor. The participants in this program have been in trouble with the law and have been ordered to pay back community service hours. The crews also pass by two stores that exclusively sell batteries because these businesses generate such a large quantity that they require regular pick-up. The juvenile crew documents how many gallons of batteries are collected at each location to help target the program's promotions.
Once at the main transfer station's recycling center, the juvenile crew unloads the batteries. They remove the batteries from the plastic bags (for those batteries collected curbside) and dump them in 55 gallon drums that are lined with 6 millimeter plastic bags. The plastic liners prevent connection (and possible electrical short) with the steel drum wall and they help to keep them dry. In the past, smaller plastic drums were used, but they are more expensive to purchase and may be more expensive to transport than the larger 55 gallon drums. The drums are placed on pallets (which helps to keep them dry) inside a 20 yard security box. It is important that the batteries are stored in a dry location because water can cause the batteries to erode or short out which could increase the risk of leakage and/or fire. It is recommended that the staff working at the site have an emergency plan in place in case of a fire. Although rare, fires can be extremely dangerous and cannot be extinguished with water.
The program has been successful because it is simple for the residents to understand and it is easy for them to participate. Perhaps equally important though is the promotion campaign. The Department of Public Works-Environmental Services spends nearly $20,000 annually to make the community aware of the program. In addition to the in-store posters and window stickers, radio, television and print media are also used to encourage participation. Some advertising is done in conjunction with the advertising of our computer and cell phone recycling programs. The promotions are most heavily run during the spring and fall daylight savings time changes (encouraging people to change the batteries in their smoke alarms), in the weeks following Christmas (because all of the new toys are running out of steam), and in the summer (because people spend more time outdoors using battery run devices).
Battery Solutions, Inc. has handled our batteries for four years. The service that they have provided Marion County has been excellent. When called to pick up a load, they've always been extremely prompt. Their detailed invoices have made tracking the batteries very simple.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any further questions about our program.
Contact: Bailey Payne
ecycling Coordinator
Marion County Public Works - Environmental Services
PO Box 14500
Salem, OR 97309
Tel. (503) 588-5169, Ext. 5991
Fax (503) 588-3565
bpayne@co.marion.or.us
http://publicworks.co.marion.or.us/es/
SHARE™
Thank you for enabling other communities throughout the usa to duplicate your
especially successful battery waste management program(s).
These program(s) that you are
selecting should be, in your estimation, of significant usage value to other solid waste
managers like yourself. Please make your program(s) detailed but not cumbersome so others
can easily follow and implement.
Your offer to SHARE™ these
program(s) with your counterparts throughout the
USA will be communicated on our website, www.batteryrecycling.com for others to follow. Your
SHARING will be of immense value to others. In addition, your organization will also be
properly acknowledged on our website. As I mentioned, we are re-designing our website which
will allow many solid waste districts throughout the country to SHARE™ this information.
We are very thankful for your direction and cooperation. This will be of
significant help to all of those municipalities, organizations, companies, etc. who now will
able to take advantage of your excellent program(s) listed on our Website.
If you have any questions please call or e-mail me.
Thank you for helping us help others.
Harve
Harve T. Mueller
Vice President, Sales & Marketing Battery Solutions Inc. harvemueller@comcast.net
586 716 0479 tel
586 716 0591 fax
