Arnold’s Hardware Tops in Battery Recycling

Press Release:

Did you drop off your used batteries at in February? If you did, you helped the store earn second place in a local battery recycling pilot project that spans the San Gabriel Valley.

Arnold’s Frontier Hardware gathered 75 pounds of used batteries in February. First place went to Glendora’s Mission Ace Hardware, who gathered over 1,500 pounds of batteries since January and 169 pounds in February. Considering that Glendora’s population is nearly five times as large as Sierra Madre with about 50,000 residents, Arnold’s honor is a deserved one. Arnold’s was recognized at an awards ceremony on March 15.

In all, the local battery recycling project has collected more than 6,800 pounds of batteries since January and aims to collect 10,000 pounds – a full five tons – by the time the project wraps up at the end of March. The project is organized by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG).

“I am proud that our store has been a significant part of this groundbreaking project,” said Basil Kruger, owner of Arnold’s Frontier Hardware. “This has been a unique opportunity to simultaneously help our environment and raise awareness for our business.” 

The pilot-project has set a precedent for producer responsibility and battery recycling on a national scale.

Household batteries were banned from trash disposal in 2006. All household batteries under 11 pounds, both alkaline and rechargeable, can be recycled at any of 40 take-back locations throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

Batteries accepted include standard AAA through D alkaline, as well as rechargeable batteries, which can be found in products such as digital cameras, cordless phones, two-way radios, wireless keyboards, cordless power tools, and cell phones. Site locations, as well as a complete list of the types of batteries accepted, are listed at www.sgvcog.org/batteryrecycling.

Though the grant project ends March 31, local businesses will continue to serve as permanent collection sites where customers can dispose of household batteries safely, responsibly and free of charge.

“We are thrilled with the public participation in this project and we ask anyone that still has used household batteries to bring them in this month so that we can reach our five-ton goal,” said Heidi Sanborn, a project leader and executive director of California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC).

All collection boxes, shipping expenses and recycling costs for the project are provided by the Call2Recycle® program, a national battery stewardship organization funded by battery producers.

In addition to the pilot program take-back locations, residents may properly dispose of batteries at HHW roundup events throughout the County of Los Angeles. Visit the Los Angeles County HHW website for details.

Arnold’s Frontier Hardware is located at 297 W Sierra Madre Blvd. in Sierra Madre.