National Recycling Nonprofit Saves $25K Annually

The Challenge

As the operator of the largest battery recycling program in the United States and Canada, this nonprofit organization manages a complex network of collection sites, transportation logistics, processing facilities, and manufacturer relationships. Their mission is critical: keeping millions of batteries out of landfills each year.

Despite their important mission, the organization faced operational challenges common to many nonprofits:

• Disconnected systems for operations, finance, and customer management
• Manual processes for invoicing and vendor payments consuming staff time
• Limited ability to launch new programs quickly
• Difficulty tracking program metrics across departments
• Budget constraints limiting technology investments

As e-bike adoption surged, the organization saw an opportunity to expand their recycling programs—but needed modern technology to make it happen efficiently.

The Solution

The organization implemented an integrated solution combining Microsoft Dynamics 365 for ERP and CRM with Microsoft Power Platform for automation and public-facing applications. This created a unified platform spanning operations, finance, services, and sales.

Unified Operations Platform

Dynamics 365 provides the backbone for core operations:

• Finance: Automated invoicing, accounts payable, and financial reporting
• CRM: Manufacturer relationships, collection site management, and program enrollment
• Operations: Logistics coordination, inventory tracking, and processing metrics

E-Bike Battery Recycling Portal

To launch their new e-bike battery recycling initiative, the team built a public-facing portal using Power Pages:

• Consumer registration for battery drop-off
• Collection site locator with real-time availability
• Tracking for recycled batteries and environmental impact
• Seamless integration with Dynamics 365 for operations management

The Results

Nonprofit-Specific Benefits

The solution delivered benefits particularly valuable for nonprofit organizations:

• Cost Efficiency: Microsoft's nonprofit pricing made enterprise-grade technology accessible within budget constraints
• Mission Alignment: Less time on administration means more resources for environmental impact
• Scalability: The platform can grow with the organization as programs expand
• Transparency: Better reporting supports donor relations and regulatory compliance
• Agility: New programs can be launched quickly to respond to emerging needs

Key Takeaways

• Integrate Core Systems: Connecting ERP, CRM, and automation creates compound benefits
• Automate Administrative Tasks: Even small time savings add up to significant cost reductions
• Enable Rapid Innovation: Low-code platforms allow nonprofits to launch new programs quickly
• Leverage Nonprofit Pricing: Microsoft's nonprofit programs make enterprise technology accessible
• Focus on Mission: Technology should free staff to focus on impact, not administration

Technology Stack

• Dynamics 365 Finance: ERP functionality for accounting and financial management
• Dynamics 365 Sales: CRM for manufacturer and partner relationships
• Power Pages: Public-facing e-bike recycling portal
• Power Automate: Workflow automation for invoicing and vendor payments
• Power BI: Program metrics and organizational dashboards