You may have some old phones, laptops and other rechargeable devices containing lithium-ion batteries that you’re wondering what to do with, e.g., cell phones, laptops, tablets, power tools, electric toothbrushes, wireless headphones, vaping devices and any other rechargeable device with a lithium-ion or nickel metal hydride battery. Bring them to us! Please no single use alkaline batteries. It’s fine to bring your rechargeable device without removing the battery-just erase the data on your sensitive gadgets.
Consumer devices contribute to the world’s fastest-growing waste stream. Recycling lithium-ion batteries can reduce the cost and environmental impact of our electronic devices like small consumer rechargeables. Yet today, less than 5% of small-format lithium-ion battery devices, literally hundreds of millions each year are not recycled, leading to valuable critical minerals sitting unused in junk drawers and posing safety hazards. Households who do recycle make a significant, positive impact.
The Pilot Knob Rotary Club (https://pilotknobrotary.com) is partnering with two high schools: Advanced Placement Environmental Science students of Guyer High School and their teacher, Stephanie Riley, and Braswell high school’s class and Dr. Anna Seibert. The event is under the umbrella of the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group https://esrag.org/lithium-ion-battery-recycling/
We’re working with Redwood Materials a lithium-ion battery recycler in Nevada. Their CEO is J.B. Straubel, former Chief Technology Officer and a co-founder of Tesla, who is passionate about protecting the environment and reducing the environmental impact that comes from mining materials used in electric vehicles and consumer devices.
Whether a laptop or an electric vehicle, lithium-ion batteries use the same elements on the periodic table. What's perhaps even more incredible is that these metals can be recycled almost infinitely; metal atoms don’t change or degrade, and so old devices can become new EVs or battery storage units without any trade-offs to performance or battery life. Redwood can recover over 95% of the critical minerals and rare earth elements from these batteries. Redwood’s goal is to make consumer recycling frictionless and free so that the public can responsibly recycle and maximize overall sustainability of all products. Rotary Clubs, like Pilot Knob, are working all over the US to educate and facilitate lithium-ion battery recycling.
Please note that we’re only after lithium-ion and nickel metal hydride batteries and small consumer rechargeable devices that would fit in a 1 foot square box. Redwood Materials will recycle them free of charge!
All the details are in this student created video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3nDGunX3gU
It’s safe to discard your single use regular alkaline batteries in the trash if you haven’t found a convenient recycling location.
Here are the details:
November 8, 2025
10am-2pm
John H. Guyer High School
Parking Lot B
7501 Teasley Ln, Denton, TX 76210
Ray Braswell High School
Front Lot
26750 E University Dr, Aubrey, TX 76227
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to:
Mike Weaver at 940-391-9614 or mikboy327@gmail.com
See you there!