Though the overall sustainability of IKEA furniture and its operation can certainly be debated, the fact remains that the company does put forth some sort of effort when it comes to the implementation of ‘more sustainable’ practices towards its everyday operations. While many of the steps IKEA has taken toward becoming a more sustainable company may seem small (banning plastic shopping bags, incorporating more FSC wood in their furniture), the sheer size of IKEA and its ability to effect countless other businesses in its supply change means ’small’ decisions can have a really big impact. Such is the case with their recycling program.
Don’t Know What You Got Till It’s Gone
For years IKEA shoppers have had access to large collection bins just inside the store that act as collection points for a wide array of recyclables. While most of the recycling bins in the store are of a more familiar variety, i.e. plastic bags, glass, aluminum, paper, others were intended for collecting more unique and rarely recycled recyclables like eyeglasses or cell phones. Probably the most unique recycling bin in the store was for batteries, and not just power tool or cell phone batteries; basic run-of-the-mill alkaline batteries as well. AAs, AAAs, Ds, Cs; it didn’t matter. If it was a battery they’d recycle it, which was great seeing as there are very few places (none in Georgia) to take normal, and most often used/discarded, alkaline batteries for recycling. Well, those days are now gone.
I don’t know how long the battery recycling program has officially been “suspended” (as IKEA puts its), but I imagine it has only been for a few months seeing as the last time I ’successfully’ recycled batteries was only a few months ago. I actually found out about the program being stopped when I went in last week to recycle some more batteries and the collection bin had a plug in the hole with a note stating the following:
Until further notice, IKEA has suspended our FREE Battery recycling service. This is due to the challenges of a new regulation issued by the US Department of Transportation (US DOT) regarding the transport of batteries.
WHYYYYYY?!?!
Seeing as I used to collect my batteries all year in a bag just to take to the Emeryville, CA store when I would travel to San Francisco to visit my friend (yes; they were heavy), I was a little disheartened by the fact that I yet may have to resort to this type of ‘battery recycling program’ once again (though post 9/11 this type of transport wouldn’t be possible). It turns out that transport, or more specifically, the US DOT is the reason IKEA, and possibly many other free battery recycling services, are now on hold.
The regulation, which is now indirectly helping to increase the number of batteries ending up in landfills all over the country, is actually a more detailed clarification of a broader hazardous materials transportation regulation that has been in place for quite some time. I’m not going to bore you with the details of the regulation (and it is loooong and boring), but basically it states that certain precautionary procedures and handling of batteries must occur when made ready for transport. Translation: it’s going to cost any business or service that transports batteries in bulk a lot more money to continue to do so.
The regulation, which can be viewed here, is intended to prevent fires and resulting injuries due to the chemical reactions that can occur between the corrosive/flammable chemicals found in many batteries. Apparently there have been several instances where battery transports and their operators have sustained minor levels of damage and injury resulting from the combustion of batteries banging around against each other. To be honest, the regulation is so overladen with bureaucratic jargon and banal legal wording, that it’s a wonder that anyone being subject to new regulation could even know that they were.
Regardless, it seems that to address one problem, the US DOT is helping to exacerbate and already bigger problem. Batteries contain incredibly nasty heavy metals and toxic chemicals; many of which end up in landfills and subsequently water tables. I don’t know about you, but when I take a drink of water I’d prefer it not to contain lead, mercury, cadmium, ammonia…you get the idea.
If you feel the same and as strongly as I do about IKEA’s battery recycling program let them know like I did by sending them an email here. We can only stockpile batteries for so long.
The Good: The regulation that caused IKEA’s battery recycling program ’suspension’ is intended to better protect people.
The Bad: There are very few places in the country where people can take all forms of batteries for recycling. Most will end up in landfills.
The Bottom-Line: IKEA’s battery recycling program was important to the communities which it served. The amount of batteries that were being recycled will now most likely be landfilled.
OUR SUSTAINABILITY RATING:
YOUR SUSTAINABILITY RATING:
Related Posts:
Follow us on Twitter and join us on Facebook. While you're at it, subscribe to our feed as well!
Discussion
View Comments for “IKEA “Suspends” Battery Recycling Program. Stockpiling Resumes”