Battery Recycling Organization Reports Record Year

The non-profit Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) released its year-end data for 2006 yesterday, reporting the collection of over 5.6 million pounds of rechargeable batteries in the U.S. and Canada, through its Call2Recycle program. This nationwide rechargeable battery and cell phone recycling program provides a way to collect and recycle used rechargeable batteries found in products, such as cordless power tools, two-way radios, cordless or cellular phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, and camcorders.

According to RBRC, its successful year can be attributed in part to the increase in participation among national retailers, businesses, communities, and licensee recycling programs. In 2006, retailer participation increased 18%, while community and public agency participation increased 23%. Participation by businesses had the greatest increase of 48%. National participating retailers–sites where batteries can be dropped off–include Best Buy, Circuit City, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, RadioShack, Sears, and Target.

“We are pleased that our program continues to grow and welcome the participation of many new key partners,” said Ralph Millard, executive vice president of RBRC. “As consumers’ reliance on portable, cordless electronic products continues to grow, so does the need to recycle the batteries that power them, which is RBRC’s mission.”

RBRC also attributes the increase in collection numbers to several recent efforts, including:
* The signing of new community, business, and retail partners. Since January 2006, RBRC has signed on over 1,000 new communities and public agencies, and over 1,200 new business partners, in addition to numerous new retail partners including: Duane Reade, Sony Style Stores, Circuit City, Rite Aid, California-based Kragen Auto Parts, and Fry’s Electronics.

* California’s “Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act of 2006.” RBRC supported this law requiring retailers that sell rechargeable batteries in the state to provide consumers with a free program for returning rechargeable batteries for reuse, recycling, or proper disposal. Through Call2Recycle, retailers can fully comply with the new law and join the existing 4,695 locations in the state of California that already participate in the program.

* “New York City Rechargeable Battery Recycling Ordinance” (Introductory Number 70-A). RBRC was named as the solution for all New York City retailers needing to comply with the new law, effective December 1, 2006, which prohibits the disposal of rechargeable batteries as solid waste and requires all retailers that sell rechargeable batteries and products that contain them to collect used batteries. Call2Recycle features more than 300 locations in New York City, where consumers can drop off used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones at no cost.

* RBRC’s “Green Means Go.RECYCLE” Campaign. As part of this campaign, RBRC encouraged NASCAR fans to learn about rechargeable battery and cell phone recycling with an interactive exhibit. The 53-foot long modular exhibit and display featured a full-size racing simulator car, an interactive prize wheel where individuals were rewarded for their recycling knowledge and fun, educational materials from RBRC.

“We would like to thank all of our partners for such a successful year and we look forward to an even more successful 2007,” Millard said. “Just remember, if it is rechargeable, it is recyclable.”

Facility managers can find out more by calling 877-2-RECYCLE or by visiting www.call2recycle.org.

About RBRC
The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) is a nonprofit, public service organization dedicated to rechargeable battery and cell phone recycling. More than 50,000 retail, business, and community collection locations participate in RBRC’s rechargeable battery recycling program. RBRC is funded by more than 300 manufacturers and marketers of portable rechargeable batteries and products. Cell phones collected through the Call2RecycleT program will be recycled or refurbished and resold when possible with a portion of the proceeds benefiting select charities.