Online engagement about battery collection spurred a spike in collection sites, according to The Battery Network, although total participation fell slightly from the year before.
The Battery Network’s 2025 Impact Report found the agency has been busy fielding inquiries about battery recycling. Formerly Call2Recycle, The Battery Network saw 42% more searches for battery drop-off locations, a 39% increase in website visits and a 32% increase in users.
The nonprofit also welcomed 31 new stewards into its network last year, bringing the total above 250; stewards are manufacturers or brands that help finance and manage the safe recycling of their batteries. The Battery Network led initiatives such as its Battery Blitz school program and a public outreach effort with the National Waste & Recycling Association to help keep more batteries out of landfills.
Doing so lowers the volume of refuse and also helps mitigate fires at collection and sorting sites, which have become increasingly common as more batteries get into the waste stream.
“This year’s results show that as battery use grows, Americans are embracing safe, responsible recycling when convenient infrastructure is available,” said Leo Raudys, The Battery Network president and CEO. “Every battery recycled through the proper channels helps reduce safety risks, recover valuable materials and keep those resources in circulation.”
Despite the increase in interest, collection totals through The Battery Network fell in 2025. The agency collected 9.3 million pounds of batteries, down about 4.8% from 2024.
The Battery Network did see a surge in collection of high-energy batteries, those over 300 watt hours (such as what’s found in snow blowers and lawnmowers). After collecting around 3,000 pounds of those batteries in 2024, The Battery Network collected more than 60,000 pounds of them in 2025.
The Battery Network facilitates collection through retail drop-offs, mail-in programs and customized takeback programs. The agency also saw a spike in usage of its OneDrum collection container last year, which allows for collection of all battery types without advance preparation; OneDrum won the Battery Safety Technology of the Year award at The Battery Show trade event.
Going forward, The Battery Network plans to continue pushing OneDrum location devices while also expanding its EV battery collection efforts. The Battery Network relaunched its customer portal this year to streamline the collection process for participants and make it more scalable.
Leadership also plans to continue advocacy efforts; it’s helped shape existing battery collection legislation in eight states, with programs in development in six others.
“The transition to a more electrified future will require trusted infrastructure, innovative solutions and strong partnerships,” Raudys said.
