Vermonters were already the best recyclers of single-use batteries in the country, and they’re getting better. In 2021, Vermont collected 216,000 pounds of batteries, according to nationwide recycling program Call2Recycle. That’s 46% more batteries than the state collected in 2020 and more batteries than the state has ever collected in a year.
The progress to divert more batteries out of the landfill is also being measured by the percentage of batteries recycled. As of the end of 2021, Vermonters were surpassing Call2Recycle’s goal of recycling 17% of batteries and on their way to meet 2022’s goal of 20%, according to a letter sent by Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s Solid Waste Program to Call2Recycle.
In 2020, Vermonters were recycling only 12% of single-use batteries. With the help of an informational campaign through social media, Front Porch Forum, TV ads and other avenues, more Vermonters are getting the message. Batteries contain toxic and rare metals, both of which should be kept out of landfills. Toxic metals like cadmium, mercury and lead can get into the water supply. Rare metals are expensive to mine and are harvested for reuse when batteries are recycled.