Pale Blue Earth, a Park City, Utah-based startup creating sustainable, rechargeable alternatives to disposable alkaline batteries, is partnering with multiple local organizations to celebrate National Battery Day on February 18.
Paleblue, Recycle Utah and Recyclops are sponsoring used disposable battery collection sites that will help Summit County, Utah, residents responsibly dispose of their depleted batteries. In coordination with Vail Resorts and the Park City School District, the sites will be available at the bottom of the Cabriolet at Canyons Village – as well as seven individual schools – marked with a green bucket and sign. A full list of drop-off locations is available here.
Old batteries can be discarded at these sites throughout February, offering quick, convenient drop-offs with regularly scheduled collection times. The Paleblue and Recyclops teams will collect and deliver the used batteries to Recycle Utah.
The problem Paleblue, Recycle Utah and Recyclops are addressing is that, across America, consumers and businesses purchase an estimated 5.4 billion1 single-use batteries every year. Ten million of these batteries are thrown away every day, many or most of which are not recycled. Once in the landfill, these batteries can leach harmful toxins and heavy metals into soil and waterways.
Proper alkaline battery disposal is widely available, but its importance is far from commonplace. Throughout February, Summit County, Utah, will be a model for other communities that want to improve their overall sustainability efforts through education, accessibility and encouragement.
