The Call2Recycle rechargeable battery recycling program collected approximately 6.7 million pounds of rechargeable batteries in 2010. That figure represents a 10.1 percent increase from the amount Call2Recycle collected in 2009.

Of the 50 states, Call2Recycle collected the largest amount of batteries — 932,882 pounds — in California. Texas and Florida provided the second- and third-largest amounts, respectively. Call2Recycle’s collection amount increased by more than 80 percent in 2010 when compared with 2009. The program attributes the sharp increase to the program’s expansion in British Columbia and Ontario.

“The battery recycling landscape is changing, with the enactment of legislation in Canada and the consideration of new legislation in other areas,” said Carl Smith, president and CEO of Call2Recycle, in a statement. “That, coupled with the strength of our 2010 results and a heightened awareness among industries and the public of the importance of recycling the items we use, inspires confidence in our performance for 2011 and beyond.”

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