All rechargeable batteries that are received through the campus waste program are recycled. The campus community must submit an online waste request through the DRS waste application to have their rechargeable batteries picked up and recycled.
I would be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.
Thanks.
LANDON HILL
Chemical Waste Manager
Division of Research Safety
During the 2017-2018 academic year, interested faculty members formed the Campus Committee on Recycling Batteries. Members included Clara Bosak-Schroeder, Ömer Özgür Çapraz, Marcus Smith, and Robert McKim. They developed a draft proposal for a pilot battery recycling program that would be coordinated across the campus and eventually become self-sustaining. They sought input from Joy Scrogum, Morgan White, and Marya Ryan. Robert McKim joined the PWR SWATeam starting with the fall 2018 semester. He will take the proposal to the team at its September 2018 meeting so that the team can take ownership of the proposal and help move it forward.
The PWR SWATeam had their first meeting of the semester, where they discussed several updates related to purchasing, waste, and recycling. The Team discussed concerns about recycling bins on the Main Quad, persistent issues with the purchasing of recycled paper on campus, challenges with a centralized battery recycling program, and the formal adoption of EPEAT standards for electronics on campus. The SWATeam also discussed and provided feedback on a formal recommendation for the expansion of SmartWay to other campus units.
The PWR SWATeam reviewed the progress made over the course of the semester on various projects and discussed next steps for each. These projects included battery recycling, the rearrangement of outdoor trash and recycling bins, guidelines for the optimal arrangement of indoor bins, expanding SmartWay, and encouraging the use of EPEAT certified products.
The PWR SWATeam discussed the history and future opportunities and mechanisms for battery recycling on campus. They also talked about updates in the rearrangement of outdoor and indoor bins.
Updates made to battery recycling drop-off locations; 190 MRL added, Vet Med removed until we can confirm whether they are still an active location.
Battery recycling instructions were updated to indicate that "University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign" should be included in address information provided to Call2Recycle. The inclusion will allow for reporting of volumes of batteries recycled through the program across the campus.
Battery recycling locations were updated.
These are the Call To Recycle battery recycling program results, from 2012 to August 2017.
Updated instructions for battery recycling were sent today so that the F&S page can be updated with current program information.
The "parent" ID number for Call2Recycle should no longer be used. It was used for tracking payment as well as shipping addresses, and continued use could result in battery collection boxes being shipped to the wrong location on campus. Unfortunately, dropping the ID number means that we won't be able to obtain centralized reports of volumes of recycled batteries.
[Did not preserve the previous version of the first paragraph, to which minor updates were made to indicate that boxes are for a mix of single-use and rechargeable batteries and that participating units must pay Call2Recycle.]
Call2Recycle accepts all rechargeable batteries that weigh less than 11 pounds, including Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn) and Small Sealed Lead Acid (SSLA/ Pb) batteries. Individual batteries must have their terminals taped or be bagged before being placed in the Call2Recycle boxes. Leaking batteries are not accepted, and should be disposed of through the Division of Research Safety (217-333-2755).
To start the program in your office:
1. Visit the Call2Recycle website at http://www.call2recycle.org/ and join the free rechargeable battery recycling program. Call2Recycle will follow up with a return phone call to you. When you receive this call, please provide them with the University of Illinois’s Parent ID #78151.
2. Call2Recycle will send the collection boxes with UPS shipping labels directly to your building. When you first start the program, please notify F&S Waste Management at 244-7283.
3. When a box is full of individually bagged rechargeable batteries, check to ensure that only acceptable batteries are in the box.
4. Write down the box’s UPS tracking number and then place the full box at a UPS pickup location. UPS will pick the box up free of charge at the time of their next scheduled delivery. UPS will ship the full box of batteries to a metal reclamation center for processing.
5. Call2Recycle will automatically send you new empty boxes with UPS shipping labels.
Single-use battery recycling can be done through an outside vendor, Battery Solutions. This vendor accepts single-use (AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V). Battery Solutions also accepts button cells and lithium primary batteries, but leaking lead acid batteries are not accepted and should be disposed of through the Division of Research Safety (217-333-2755). Batteries should be individually bagged or have their terminals tapped before being placed in the Battery Solutions container. Each 55-pound container of batteries is sent through FedEx. The cost for the each container to complete the process is $84. This program is no longer centrally funded.
To initiate the program in your office:
Instructions for units that want to provide battery recycling have been updated on the appropriate iCAP Portal pages, with a detail regarding the provision of a "parent ID number" to Call2Recycle still pending. Once that detail has been confirmed, iCAP Portal instructions will be updated again if necessary, and instructions on the F&S page will be updated.
Added the following text to the first paragraph of the project description:
Full instructions for your unit to participate are available at https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project/rechargeable-battery-recycling.
See attached agenda for iWG meeting held on May 2nd, 2017.
see file
The PWR SWATeam submitted a recommendation to the iWG stating, "The campus should continue battery recycling. Whether this be department drive through the use of outside programs or a comprehensive effort, battery recycling should be a priority."
See attached the SWATeam recommendation PWR008 Battery Recycling complete with comments from all the PWR SWATeam members.
The Purhcasing, Waste, and Recycling SWAT Team met to disucss topics including the ethics compliance video and battery recyling. The SWAT Team decided on three recommendations to make to the Associate Director of Campus Sustainability, Ximing Cai. These reccomendations include:
1. Promoting the Ethics Compliance Video with a written summary
2. Implement the approved Paper Policy draft
3. Continue battery recycling on campus
The SWAT Team also discussed efforts to increase recycling/lower the use of paper on campus. One avenue the team considered is urging RSOs to use less paper to promote their activities during Quad Day.
Morgan Johnston and Shawna Grady met to discuss the potential uses for the Transportation Building's ECIP funding award ($10,000). Options included additional recycling bins, LED lamps, power strips, battery recycling containers, and potentially a waste characterization study for the building (if available through ISTC).
