What happens to batteries and cellphones after you drop them off at a collection site? They begin a fascinating journey through the recycling process, with the metal and chemical byproducts eventually winding up in new products and the remaining waste safely disposed of according to international recycling standards.
Learn more about what happens to batteries after they're collected at the links below.
The University of Illinois does not coordinate or pay for battery recycling for campus departments. If your department has a small number of batteries to recycle, use one of the local options listed.
For larger quantities, your department can purchase battery recycling containers from Call2Recycle (https://www.call2recycle.org/store/). Remember that Illinois law requires that the battery terminals are taped on both rechargable and single use batteries prior to recycling.
Most local drop-off sites only accept household quantities of batteries. If your organization or business wants to offer battery recycling, one option is to partner with Call2Recycle. They offer a simple compliance solution for organizations subject to legal diversion requirements and as well as turnkey, yet flexible options for collection sites to ship in boxes or in bulk.
Cirba Solutions also sells kits, collection tubes, and damaged battery kits, which include prepaid shipping and recycling services.
In the past, ISTC's technical assistance staff worked with Interstate Battery to recycle large quantities of all types of batteries. Local contact information is:
Interstate Batteries
2504 North Mattis Avenue
Champaign, IL 61822
217) 355-4855
For more information, see Interstate Batteries Recycling page, which includes a contact form you can fill out to receive information targeted toward your specific situation.
