MORGAN HILL, Calif. (BRAIN) — Specialized Bicycles will work with an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization to establish a program through retailers to collect used e-bike batteries to deliver to its recycling partner.
Earlier this year, Specialized announced an agreement with Redwood Materials to begin recycling all e-bike batteries sold in the U.S. by the end of year. On Thursday, it completed the initiative by announcing a working agreement with Call2Recycle, a battery collection and recycling logistics group founded in 1994.
This fall, Specialized and Call2Recycle will begin training Specialized Turbo e-bike retailers to become lithium-Ion battery collection sites, equipped to collect Specialized batteries for recycling. As retailers complete battery recycling training, customers can search for qualifying locations on Call2Recycle's website. Specialized said it is committed to developing additional resources for riders and retailers to make sure that all batteries can be safely and effectively recycled.
"Electric bikes are a powerful tool in the fight against climate change, and the challenge of battery recycling is larger than what Specialized can solve alone," said Mike Sinyard, Specialized founder and CEO. "That is why we are proud to be one of nearly 20 bike brands who are working with PeopleForBikes to develop an e-bike battery recycling program which serves the entire industry. We are proud to lead this effort, and to use our experience for the benefit of the bike industry and the planet."
Details leaked in March about Specialized working with Redwood Materials, co-founded and run by JB Straubel, who also co-founded electric car company Tesla.
"E-mobility, notably e-bikes, is perhaps the most visible example of the growing electrification of our economy," said Leo Raudys, Call2Recycle president and CEO. "We are excited by Specialized's commitment to safely and responsibly recycle the batteries that make these climate-friendly products possible and look forward to partnering with them to create a healthier planet."
