Responsible Battery Coalition Launches 2 Million Battery Challenge at U.S. Senate Auto Caucus Briefing on Sustainability

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A coalition of leading vehicle battery manufacturers, recyclers,
retailers and users dedicated to the responsible manufacturing, use and
reuse of vehicle batteries launched an initiative today to recover 2
million more batteries with the goal of achieving a recycling rate of
100%. The campaign, called the 2 Million Battery Challenge, is an effort
to engage consumers to bring their used vehicle batteries to the nearest
participating auto parts retailer to have them properly recycled.

“The latest automotive industry research shows that 12% of consumers
still have a dead or unusable vehicle battery at home in a garage or old
vehicle and not in the closed recycling loop,” said Pat Hayes, executive
director of the Responsible Battery Coalition, the organization leading
the effort. “That’s enough batteries to equal the weight of 1,000
semi-trucks or enough to line the length of 8,000 football fields.”

“The recycling of vehicle batteries is one of the great achievements in
protecting public and environmental health,” said Ramon Sanchez, Ph.D.,
of the Harvard University School of Public Health and chair of the
Responsible Battery Coalition’s Science Advisory Board. “With 99% of the
vehicle batteries in North America currently being recycled, we are
reducing pollution including the greenhouse emissions caused from
sourcing new battery materials. Getting the remaining 2 million
batteries recycled will make this positive impact even better.”

The event, sponsored by the Senate Auto Caucus, marks the launch of the
campaign and includes a panel discussion featuring members of the
Responsible Battery Coalition, its partners and expert advisors.

Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), co-chair of the caucus, commended the
Responsible Battery Coalition’s members for their environmental
stewardship. “What has been achieved by this industry is remarkable and
stands as an example to others around the world. I applaud them for
wanting to do better,” he said.

The 2 Million Battery Challenge will utilize a combination of online
advertising and social media engagement to inform consumers that their
used batteries can and should be properly disposed at a location near
them. These locations are often automotive aftermarket retailers or
municipal recycling centers. “We want to make this as easy as possible
for people,” said Hayes. “Our campaign directs consumers to a page on
our website that will allow them to locate the collection center nearest
them. All they need to do is bring the battery in and our partners will
do the rest.”

Panelists at the Senate briefing included:

• Pat Hayes, Executive Director, Responsible Battery Coalition
• Ramon Sanchez, Ph.D., Director, Sustainable Technologies and Health
  Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Adam Muellerweiss, Executive Director – Sustainability, Industry, and
  Government Affairs, Johnson Controls
• Jonathan Moser, Head, Environment and Public Affairs – Canada, Lafarge
  Canada
• Ray Pohlman, Vice President, Government and Community Relations,
  AutoZone
• Micah Thompson, Senior Manager, Environmental Affairs, Advance Auto
  Parts

Responsible Battery Coalition

Launched in April 2017, the RBC is a coalition of companies, academics
and NGOs committed to the responsible management of the batteries of
today and tomorrow, advancing the responsible production, transport,
sale, use, reuse, recycling and resource recovery of transportation,
industrial and stationary batteries and other energy storage devices.
RBC’s members include Johnson Controls, Walmart, Ford Motor Co., Honda
North America, Federal Express, Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, Canadian
Energy, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Club Car and LafargeHolcim.

Tweet @respbattery
#2MBatteryChallenge
www.responsiblebatterycoalition.org

Contacts

Responsible Battery Coalition
Pat Hayes, 513-267-1814
Executive
Director
[email protected]
or
Asher
Agency
Mike Fulton, 301-651-2508
[email protected]