Environmental Recycling Fee $15.00 now on e-bike purchases at checkout

[GuruUno]

Oh well, how many of you fellow e-bike owners have had to replace your battery yet?
I'd guess it's about this: https://www.bicycleretailer.com/ind...ycling-program-brings-industry-together-cause
But, then, this? https://www.scientificamerican.com/...n-batteries-can-perform-better-than-new-ones/

 

[mschwett]

it's good that e-bike manufacturers are getting together to organize recycling programs for e-bike batteries. i'd prefer they just build it into the price of the bike, even if meant raising it, but whatever....

 

[AvalancheRun]

Gazelle charged us $30 a piece. I was curious if anyone else saw these charges. Would be nice to bake that into the price of the bike instead of springing at the last moment.

 

[Rexlion]

We cycle, and then we recycle....how apropos.

 

[AvalancheRun]

We cycle, and then we recycle....how apropos.

Not casting any aspersions on the process of recycling, instead the hidden fees. At least in Specialized's case they showed it right away - we paid for the bikes in full (minus tax) and only at pickup did they spring that extra fee on us.

 

[GuruUno]

2 Starbucks LAtte's....

 

[AvalancheRun]

2 Starbucks LAtte's....

$60 for us.

 

[RaphaelNYC]

Why not but the recycled batterie has a value, it is a win win for them

 

[J.R.]

My county has a HazMat recycling day; first Saturday in May. They bring in industries that want these materials and they give you a $5 home center gift card for your trouble. I have no idea what these bike sellers are doing with the batteries. I know the batteries have value; they should offer the consumer some of the profit, not charge them. At the very least it should be free.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

It's a scam. Same as a "processing fee", it's just a more palatable label.

 

[mschwett]

It's a scam. Same as a "processing fee", it's just more a palatable label.

are you suggesting that they’re not enrolling in the program, just keeping the $15, and when you take the battery in to be recycled you’ll get turned away?

because that’s the sort of allegation that should really be backed up with some facts.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Oh well, how many of you fellow e-bike owners have had to replace your battery yet?

If I used each of the e-bikes I own with its original battery only, I would be at this stage now.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

My county has a HazMat recycling day; first Saturday in May. They bring in industries that want these materials and they give you a $5 home center gift card for your trouble. I have no idea what these bike sellers are doing with the batteries. I know the batteries have value; they should offer the consumer some of the profit, not charge them. At the very least it should be free.

That's a good idea.

 

[gpburdell]

Gazelle charged us $30 a piece. I was curious if anyone else saw these charges. Would be nice to bake that into the price of the bike instead of springing at the last moment.

Another reason to order/buy from your local dealer instead of Specialized.com… you don’t get charged that fee nor the “delivery“ fee…

 

[RollinRollinRollin]

It's a scam. Same as a "processing fee", it's just more a palatable label.
View attachment 161502

Sooo funny! Thanks! I need a good belly laugh.... LOL!

 

[Tom@WashDC]

are you suggesting that they’re not enrolling in the program?

What I am saying is that they do not "need" to charge you for this program. You don't "need" to pay somebody to eventually take your battery and recycle it when you are finished with it. Almost every bike retailer in my city accepts used batteries for no charge. Your local landfill generally has a battery recycle process as do many other retailers, and your local municipality. You can drop your used battery at any Home Depot or Lowe's Hardware for free to be recycled. Call2Cycle has free drop off points at Home Depot and Lowe's, and it's free!

Some companies may actually pay you (and the retailer too!)to recycle your battery:

How Our Battery Recycling Process Works | Battery Recyclers of America

We provide free, next-day pickup of all battery types everywhere in the U.S. Get in touch with our battery recycling experts and we'll handle everything.

www.batteryrecyclersofamerica.com

It's a gross margin "bump" by the retailer.

 

[BlackHand]

What I am saying is that they do not "need" to charge you for this program. You don't "need" to pay somebody to eventually take your battery and recycle it when you are finished with it. Almost every bike retailer in my city accepts used batteries for no charge. Your local landfill generally has a battery recycle process as do many other retailers, and your local municipality. You can drop your used battery at any Home Depot or Lowe's Hardware for free to be recycled. Call2Cycle has free drop off points at Home Depot and Lowe's, and it's free!

Some companies may actually pay you (and the retailer too!)to recycle your battery:

How Our Battery Recycling Process Works | Battery Recyclers of America

We provide free, next-day pickup of all battery types everywhere in the U.S. Get in touch with our battery recycling experts and we'll handle everything.

www.batteryrecyclersofamerica.com

It's a gross margin "bump" by the retailer.

I agree that the first place to check should be the county/municipal programs already in place for hazardous waste and recycling. Especially since those programs are funded by our tax $$(ie not free) and will probably be brand agnostic so you could recycle your Frey or Luna battery for example.

Call2Recycle only takes up to 300wh and under 11 lbs at their retail collection points, so HD and Lowes are NOT viable options to take ebike batteries for the vast majority of ebikers. AFAIK C2R charges the retailer for the bins and service. The benefit to the retailer is increased foot traffic and good PR.

The industry program for recycling ebike batteries is www.hungryforbatteries.org which grew out of the program piloted by Specialized and Call2Recycle in 2021. Supports 54 brands so far. Tne FAQ doesn't mention costs, so it probably varies by dealer and brand whether they pass the cost on to the end user.

Given the low margins in both the bike and recycling industries it doesn't surprise me to see costs passed on to the consumer.

If I ever have over 1000 lbs of ebike batteries to recycle I'll use that link Tom posted. I don't see it being useful for bike retailers or consumers though.