2015 Austin Recharge Challenge

Congratulations to North Village Library Branch for winning the 2015 Recharge Challenge!

To increase consumer awareness about the importance of battery recycling to the environment, the City of Austin, Texas, and Call2Recycle sponsored the Austin Recharge Challenge from Aug. 17 to Sept. 18. City residents were asked to bring their used single-use and rechargeable batteries to one of 21 neighborhood library branches or other Call2Recycle drop-off locations.

The campaign was a tremendous success, with almost 6,000 lbs. (2,722 kg.) of batteries collected in just four weeks. The North Village library branch won the challenge by collecting 1,042 lbs. (473 kg.) of batteries, followed closely by Spicewood Springs with almost 900 lbs. (408 kg.). As the top battery collector for the challenge, North Village was awarded a $1,000 grant to be used for a sustainable project such as a bike rack or outdoor bench.

“The Austin community showed its strong sense of community spirit by recycling used batteries to help its library system,” said Tim Warren, account manager, Call2Recycle. “Because participation increased this year, we were able to collect more batteries than last year. The word about battery recycling continues to spread.”

The city and Call2Recycle combined social media efforts on Twitter, using the handle #AustinRecharge. The campaign reached more than 40,000 people. Call2Recycle also posted an Austin Recharge Challenge web page for additional information on the city’s recycling program.

Austin ships up to 2,000 lbs. (907 kg.) of rechargeable batteries per month to Call2Recycle, an amount that almost tripled during the four-week campaign. Since 1999, Austin’s residents have recycled more than 460,000 lbs. (207,292 kg.) of batteries through its recycling program. The campaign is part of the city’s Zero Waste Master Plan, which aims to reduce the amount of trash sent to landfills by 90% by 2040.

WinnerPhotoOp-2015

From left to right, Brandi Bruton, representing Mayor’s Office (green shirt) Mindy Reed, Librarian and retail manager Recycled Reads, Bob Gedert, Director, Austin Resource Recovery, Bobby Baker, Environmental Program Specialists Sr. Austin Resource Recovery, Michael Abramov, North Village Library Manager, Kenneth Hicks, Operator, Austin Resource Recovery, Tim Warren, Account Manager at Call2Recycle, Leslie Pool, City Council Member for District 7 and Kanya Lyons, Public Information Specialist for Austin Public Libraries.


Answer the call to recycle: Check out your books, check in your batteries!

August 17 – September 18, 2015

Austin Zero Waste GraphicsEvery month the city of Austin ships up to 2,000 lbs. of rechargeable batteries, collected by residents and retailers, to Call2Recycle. This year, Call2Recycle and 21 local libraries have partnered to collect even more single-use and rechargeable batteries during the Austin Recharge Challenge! Residents are encouraged to drop off their batteries between August 17th and September 18th. The library that collects the most batteries will receive a $1,000 gift, to help fund a sustainable project, such as installing a bike rack or an outdoor garden bench.

Since 1999, Austin’s residents have recycled more than 457,000 lbs. of batteries from its recycling program. Austin’s commitment to battery recycling is part of its larger goal of reducing waste to landfills by 90% by the year 2040.

Wondering why you should recycle your batteries?

C2R669 Austin Battery Recycling Challenge Digital PosterAustin residents are strong environmental advocates and have adopted a progressive waste reduction policy. Rechargeable batteries and cellphones may contain metals that can be harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly. By collaborating with Call2Recycle, Austin Resource Recovery – the city’s safe disposal and recycling services – took one step closer to its goal to divert these potentially harmful materials from landfills and recycle their byproducts into new products. You can do your part by helping your library collect the most batteries during the Recharge Challenge and beyond. So what are you waiting for? Check those drawers for old, used rechargeable and single-use batteries and take them to the branch closest to you!

Find a drop-off location near you! Take a look at the participating libraries listed below or look for the digital poster above at your local library to see if they are participating. Get additional details on the type of batteries accepted here.

 

LibraryStreet AddressZip CodePhone Number
Library: Carver1161 Angelina St.78702(512) 974-1010
Library: Cepeda641 Pleasant Valley Rd.78702(512) 974-7372
Library: Faulk Central800 Guadalupe St.78701(512) 974-7400
Library: Hampton @ Oak Hill5125 Convict Hill78749(512) 974-9900
Library: History Center810 Guadalupe78701(512) 974-7480
Library: Howson2500 Exposition Blvd78703(512) 974-8800
Library: Little Walnut Creek835 W. Rundberg Ln.78758(512) 974-9860
Library: Manchaca5500 Manchaca Rd78745(512) 974-8700
Library: North Village2505 Steck Ave78757(512) 974-9960
Library: Old Quarry7051 Village Center Dr78731(512) 974-8860
Library: Pleasant Hill211 E Wm Cannon Dr78745(512) 974-3940
Library: Recycled Reads5335 Burnet Rd.78756(512) 323-5123
Library: Ruiz1600 Grove Blvd.78741(512) 974-7500
Library: St John7500 Blessing Ave78752(512) 974-7570
Library: Southeast5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd.78744(512) 974-8840
Library: Spicewood Springs8637 Spicewood Springs Rd.78759(512) 974-3800
Library: Terrazas1105 E. Cesar Chavez St.78702(512) 974-3625
Library: Twin Oaks1800 S. Fifth ST78704(512) 974-9980
Library: University Hills4721 Loyola Ln.78723(512) 974-9940
Library: Willie Mae Kirk3101 Oak Springs Dr.78702(512) 974-9920
Library: Windsor Park5833 Westminister Dr78723(512) 974-9840
Library: Yarborough2200 Hancock Dr.78756(512) 974-8820
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