Call2Recycle Inc. has introduced a new flame retardant box liner to help boost safety in battery recycling efforts.

This new feature is part of the organization's Charge Up Safety! initiative to further the safe collection, transport and recycling of consumer batteries.

When certain types of batteries reach their end-of-life, they may still retain a residual charge that can present a safety risk if not handled properly. To reduce any safety incidents, the Call2Recycle program will include the flame retardant liner in all its battery collection boxes as an extra layer of protection during collection, transportation and recycling.

"Safety is a core tenet of the Call2Recycle program," Call2Recycle CEO and President Carl Smith said in a statement. "As the premier battery recycling program, we are continually improving safety policies and practices to ensure we protect both people and the environment. This liner is an additional step we are taking for the safety of consumers, sorters, collection sites, transporters, and processors who handle used batteries."

The patent-pending liner is made of a dry polyester fiber and provides an additional level of defense should a thermal event occur during the battery recycling journey—from collection to transportation to sorting and processing. The liner is manufactured from used plastic bottles, and is both reusable and recyclable. This innovation, when applied with the program's guidelines, can limit the potential for flames to escape from a battery box in the event of a thermal runaway or ignition of materials.

The flame retardant box, manufactured for Call2Recycle's use, has been independently tested, and can withstand up to 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit. Call2Recycle will begin fulfilling boxes with this liner to all collection sites across the U.S. in the coming weeks and to Canada in early 2018.