MAKITA ACCEPTS CALL2RECYCLE "LEADER" AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING RECYCLING EFFORTS

Call2Recycle is North America's first and largest battery collection and recycling program.

La Mirada, CA – Makita®, the innovation leader in cordless power tool technology, has been recognized for outstanding battery recycling efforts with the Call2Recycle® Leader in Sustainability Award.

Call2Recycle, North America’s first and largest battery collection and recycling program, created the Leader in Sustainability Award for companies that maintain a strong commitment to sustainability by steering hazardous materials away from local landfills. This is the second year Call2Recycle has distributed the award.

Makita created the 18V Lithium-Ion cordless tool category in 2005 with its groundbreaking 18V LXT® Series, and today offers the world’s largest 18V Lithium-Ion cordless tool line-up (slide-style battery). For Makita, a long-time partner in battery recycling efforts, it is the second straight year of recognition.

“Leaders in Sustainability demonstrate how organizations can have a positive environmental impact,” said Sean Burchill, Western Account Manager, Call2Recycle. “Thanks to dedicated organizations like Makita, over 11 million pounds of batteries were diverted from landfills through the Call2Recycle program in 2013.”

A Leader in Sustainability
Since the mid-1990’s, Makita has worked with Call2Recycle to develop new ways to collect, package and ship used batteries at the end of their life cycle to recycling centers. 

“As Makita delivered more and more cordless power tools for contractors, we recognized the need to recycle batteries at the end of their life cycle,” said Mario Lopez, product manager, cordless tools, Makita U.S.A. “Makita was one of the first power tool manufacturers to join these efforts, and we pioneered battery recycling programs through our service centers. We’re proud of all the efforts, and remain committed to working with Call2Recycle on this important initiative.”

More Batteries Diverted from Waste Stream
Overall battery collection rates through Call2Recycle have increased during the past decade, which can be attributed to increases in both general awareness of recycling and availability of collection sites. At the same time, Makita has expanded the number of cordless solutions, so contractors are “cutting the cord” with more Makita cordless tools on jobsites than ever before.

Making it Easy to Recycle
Each Makita battery carries the Call2Recycle Battery Seal, which includes a toll-free phone number to locate a battery collection site. In addition, Call2Recycle battery recycling information is available at makitatools.com/batteryrecycle and in all Makita instruction manuals.

“When batteries reach the end of their life cycle, users can bring them to a Makita Service Center,” said Stan Rodrigues, manager of the regulatory & compliance department at Makita U.S.A. “They can also go online or call to find a Call2Recycle collection box in their community. Call2Recycle has made it super easy to recycle.”

About Makita U.S.A.
Makita is a worldwide manufacturer of industrial quality power tools and outdoor power equipment, and offers a wide range of industrial accessories. Makita utilizes leading-edge technology and innovation to engineer tools that are more compact with less weight yet deliver industrial power and results. Makita’s extensive line of cordless lithium-ion tools includes 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion, 18V Compact Lithium-Ion, and 12V max Lithium-Ion. Other best-in-class products include rotary and demolition hammers and saws equipped with Anti-Vibration Technology (AVT®), MM4™ 4-Stroke engine power equipment, Super Joint System – SJS® grinders, miter saws engineered with Deep and Exact Cutting Technology (DXT™), Impact GOLD™, the New Gold Standard in Impact Driving, and more. Makita U.S.A., Inc. is located in La Mirada, California, and operates an extensive distribution network located throughout the U.S.  For more information, call 800/4-MAKITA (800/462-5482) or go to makitatools.com. Follow Makita: facebook.com/makitatoolspage and twitter.com/makitatools.