Why Recycling Is Not Enough

Call2Recycle, Inc. releases white paper on benefits of embracing a circular economy

ATLANTA, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Recycling can be seen as the definitive strategy for reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact of consumer products; however, optimal solutions for waste management are far more subtle and complex.  Call2Recycle, Inc., North America's first and largest consumer battery stewardship organization, today released: "Shifting the Focus from End-of-Life Recycling to Continuous Product Lifecycles," a white paper on how embracing a circular economy can be a much more powerful and effective approach to waste management.

Recent market insights indicate that recycling cannot be the universal solution for managing waste. For example, in some cases it might be more environmentally sound to use a non-recyclable package instead of a recyclable one for the same purpose. The white paper examines more holistic concepts for managing materials, including "the circular economy" (an idea popularized by the MacArthur Foundation), which starts with the initial design of a product, among other considerations. 

"It is important that we promote the conversation of how organizations pursue the tenets of a circular economy. Through this white paper we seek to elevate the conversation beyond recycling," said Carl Smith, CEO and President of Call2Recycle, Inc. "For instance, while recycling batteries is one way to address the challenges presented by today's increased use of mobile electronic products, choosing the right evaluation approach to how batteries are recycled is key to ensuring that we are part of the solution." 

Some of the ideas explored in the white paper were discussed in an hour-long webcast organized jointly by GreenBiz and Call2Recycle, featuring  Carl Smith, along with Energizer's Director of Regulatory and Government Affairs, Marcus Boolish, and Betsy Dorn, Reclay Steward Edge's (RSE USA) Recycling Expert and co-author of the new white paper. The white paper is available online for free download at: www.call2recycle.org/continuouslifecycles.

About Call2Recycle, Inc.
Call2Recycle, Inc. (Call2Recycle) is North America's premier product stewardship organization dedicated to minimizing the environmental impacts of products in the marketplace. Operating across Canada and the U.S., its marquee battery recycling program Call2Recycle® is the oldest and largest consumer battery stewardship program. Collecting and recycling batteries for retailers, municipalities, businesses and consumers through its network of close to 30,000 collection sites, over 100 million pounds (45 million kilograms) of batteries and cellphones have been diverted from the solid waste stream. Learn more at call2recycle.org or call2recycle.ca.

SOURCE Call2Recycle

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www.call2recycle.ca