SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): Batteries Plus and the Green Bay Packers are joining forces to tackle battery recycling.

Wisconsin-based Batteries Plus recently entered into negotiations with the U.S. Department of Energy for a $7 million grant aimed at increasing battery recycling nationwide.

Batteries Plus, which was founded in Green Bay in 1988, is partnering with the Packers for the campaign, which kicked off Thursday at Lambeau Field.

“Most Americans want to do the right thing, but they have battery drawers and they don’t necessarily know where to dispose of those batteries. They can come to Batteries Plus, we can take them in — easy, convenient, no charge. And then we have the opportunity to do the right thing to recycle the raw materials back into the environment,” explained Batteries Plus CEO Scott Williams.

Aaron Popkey, the Packers’ director of public affairs, said this partnership with Batteries Plus fits well with efforts already in place at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

“This new partnership represents the Packers’ commitment to sustainability and complements our Green Team initiatives, which we launched several years ago and is dedicated to using renewable resources and other sustainable practices on game days, but also every day of the year,” Popkey said.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, who served as the governor of Michigan for eight years, praised the partnership — despite the sting she felt being in Titletown as a fan of the Detroit Lions.

“This is one competition we all can be on the same side of, which is the race for clean energy and American energy independence. And that’s what this is about today,” Granholm said.

Following the news conference, residents came to Lambeau Field to recycle their batteries at no cost.

Batteries Plus has 720 stories across the country, including 28 in Wisconsin. Williams said last year, the company recycled 50 million pounds of batteries.

Courtesy: www.wtaq.com