Battery Network, NWRA and NWRF Partner to Strengthen Battery Safety and Recovery in the U.S.

Photo Credit: The Battery Network

According to industry reports, the Battery Network, the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) and the National Waste & Recycling Foundation (NWRF) have formed a strategic partnership to expand battery safety education, improve responsible battery recovery and provide additional resources to waste and recycling companies across the United States. The organizations formalized the collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The partnership will focus on education, public outreach, industry engagement and battery collection initiatives aimed at improving the safe management of batteries throughout the collection and recycling process. The organizations will also develop practical resources for waste and recycling professionals dealing with batteries entering municipal and commercial waste streams.

The collaboration builds on NWRF’s national “Skip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!” battery safety campaign, which features Woodsy Owl and encourages consumers to keep batteries out of household trash and recycling bins. The partners plan to expand consumer education on proper battery collection and disposal while providing waste and recycling workers with additional guidance for handling batteries safely.

Battery-related fires have become a growing operational concern for waste and recycling facilities as the use of rechargeable batteries and battery-powered products increases. Damaged or improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries can enter collection and processing systems and create fire risks during transportation, sorting and recycling.

“This partnership underscores a shared commitment to advancing battery safety, expanding responsible recycling and building the infrastructure needed to support a more electrified future,” said Leo Raudys, President and CEO of The Battery Network.

Michael E. Hoffman, President and CEO of NWRA and NWRF, said the partnership would combine the organizations’ expertise to expand public education and provide industry members with resources for safer battery recovery.

“Battery safety is one of the most pressing challenges facing the waste and recycling industry today, and no single organization can solve it alone,” Hoffman said. “By partnering with The Battery Network, we are combining our strengths to expand public education, support safe battery recovery, and provide our members with the tools and resources they need to reduce fires and protect workers, facilities, firefighters and communities.”

The Battery Network, formerly known as Call2Recycle, has operated battery collection, recycling and stewardship programs across North America for more than 30 years. Its network connects consumers, businesses, manufacturers, retailers and government organizations, while its services include battery safety resources, collection programs and stewardship solutions.

NWRA represents the private-sector waste and recycling industry through advocacy, education and member resources, while NWRF supports education and initiatives related to waste and recycling. The new partnership combines these networks with The Battery Network’s experience in battery stewardship and collection.

The organizations said the collaboration will support stronger battery recovery infrastructure and safer material flows while making proper battery management more accessible to consumers and communities across the U.S.

Source: PR Newswire

SUNSHINE Spotlight: The new partnership targets a key challenge in battery recycling by combining consumer education, collection programs and industry safety resources to improve battery recovery across the U.S.