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.

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

Every 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 17^th and September 18^th. 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?

Austin 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.