Apr 22, 2023
Earth Day — Rotary Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Event
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Host a collection event
We're encouraging U.S. Rotary Clubs to work with Redwood to host collection events and educate their communities about battery recycling. Our work together brings us one step closer to creating a domestic, circular supply chain to drive down the environmental footprint of lithium-ion batteries and the electric vehicles and sustainable energy storage systems they power.
Email recycle@redwoodmaterials.com to host a collection event in your community.
Recycling Resources
What's inside
Volunteer form
Checklist
News article
Media alert
Social media
Event promo poster
Sandwich board poster
Partner resources
Redwood Consumer recycling program
Press
FAQ
Lithium-ion batteries have the characteristics of high power density, long life, low self-discharge, and low maintenance. Most are rechargeable, unlike single-use alkaline batteries. Lithium-ion is the most common type of rechargeable battery for portable electronics, with one of the best energy-to-weight ratios, high open circuit voltage, low self-discharge rate, no memory effect, and a slow loss of charge when not in use. They are used in products such as electric vehicles, laptops, smartphones, electric toothbrushes, electric shavers, handheld vacuums, and power tools (see graphic).
Keeps end-of-life lithium-ion batteries out of landfills, where they are prohibited because they are toxic and flammable.
Helps increase the security of U.S. supply chains for raw battery materials.
Supports domestic remanufacturing of lithium-ion batteries.
Reduces the need to mine from the earth.
As part of this recycling program, we will be collecting all household items that contain a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This includes:
old mobile phones
electric toothbrushes
hair clippers
electric shavers
laptops
power tool batteries
Bluetooth speakers
cordless vacuum batteries
e-bike batteries
wireless headphones
Redwood does not recycle eWaste. We are only taking rechargeable products that contain lithium-ion batteries.
Here are a few items that are considered eWaste and we CANNOT accept:
Flat screen TVs
Printers
Copiers
Circuit Boards
If it requires a plugged-in cord to operate, we cannot accept it. We’re only accepting wireless products with rechargeable batteries.
No, you don’t need to bring the charger or any other accessories to recycle your device.
Before dropping off a personal device, you should always sign out of all your accounts, remove the SIM card and perform a factory reset to remove all personal data. Once received and unboxed at Redwood, devices are secured until they are processed, ensuring any remaining personal information is completely destroyed. Individuals recycling devices are responsible for wiping any personal data from devices prior to dropping them in the Collection Bin.
Factory reset instructions:
No, you can drop the entire device into the bin.
Redwood’s technology can recover, on average, more than 95% of materials like nickel, cobalt, copper, aluminum, lithium and graphite in a lithium-ion battery. These materials can then go directly back into the supply chain to make batteries for new electric vehicles and energy storage products.
You may drop in as many devices or batteries as you like.
Many do not accept lithium-ion batteries, and those that do so require you to remove the batteries from the device. The local municipalities are supportive of our work to educate consumers and host events specifically for lithium-ion batteries.
Yes, we encourage you to do so as these joint events prove to have the biggest success. Partnering with the local waste management company or a county/town “clean-up” day is more convenient for most consumers allowing them to drop off multiple items (old clothes, e-waste, batteries) at one location.