Call2Recycle Responds to Ontario Regulation For All Battery Recycling

Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation of Canada seeks to expand its program in Ontario to be North America’s first mandated all-battery recycling program

TORONTO, August 4, 2009 – Responding to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s efforts to implement the province’s Waste Diversion Act, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation of Canada (RBRCC) has proposed to expand its decade-long, free recycling program, Call2Recycle, by becoming an official industry program for all household batteries. The Minister’s directive will result in the first mandated all-battery collection and recycling program in North America, serving as a model for future industry stewardship programs in the province and beyond.

“We echo and applaud the Ministry of the Environment’s goal of attaining ‘zero waste’ in Ontario. In addition to lessening the negative environmental impacts of waste, this movement reinforces the benefits – and responsibility – of reusing what we produce and consume,” said Carl Smith, Chairman, RBRCC. “More than 685,000 kilograms of rechargeable batteries have been recycled in Ontario over the past decade through Call2Recycle. By recovering resources from used batteries, we are taking one small step in helping the Minister achieve this goal.”

By expanding the Call2Recycle program, the battery industry would be the first industry in Ontario to be recognized as meeting Ontario’s emerging waste management and resource recovery plans. Call2Recycle’s industry stewardship plan (ISP) was submitted on behalf of battery stewards that sell into Ontario and responds to the provincial call-to-action by proposing to assume responsibility for all battery collections. Expansion would be seamless and would continue to be free to consumers and collection locations, as Call2Recycle’s infrastructure – existing collection sites, service chain providers and relationships in the marketplace – can be leveraged to swiftly and efficiently accommodate the collection of all household batteries, including alkaline and other primary batteries. The expanded program could begin as early as January 1, 2010, taking advantage of existing momentum in the Canadian marketplace and bolstering collections well in advance of the targeted enactment of the province plan. The ISP documents strategies to collect and recycle more than 10 million kilograms of batteries in the province over five years.

An advisory committee comprised of battery steward representatives and recycling experts will be established to guide the ISP toward its expansion objectives and ensure continued success. Toronto-based RBRCC will continue to support the growth of the Canadian green job market by employing local partners, such as Newalta and Xstrata, to handle its sorting and processing needs.

Call2Recycle is the first battery program committed to attain Basel Action Network (BAN) e-Steward qualification and upholds strict third-party standards for environmental safety and social responsibility. Call2Recycle has collected more than 22 million kilograms of rechargeable batteries in North America since the program’s inception in 1994. For more information and local Call2Recycle collection sites where rechargeable batteries can be recycled today, call toll-free 877-2-RECYCLE or visit www.call2recycle.org. Find Call2Recycle on Facebook; learn more about Call2Recycle on Wikipedia.

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About Call2Recycle®
Call2Recycle is the industry’s first and only product stewardship program for rechargeable batteries. The nonprofit program is administered by the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a public service organization dedicated to rechargeable battery recycling. There are more than 30,000 Call2Recycle drop-off locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. More than 175 manufacturers and marketers of portable rechargeable batteries and products show their commitment to conserve natural resources and prevent rechargeable batteries from entering the solid waste stream by funding the Call2Recycle program. In pursuit of its mission, Call2Recycle also collects old cellphones, which are either recycled or refurbished and resold when possible with a portion of the proceeds benefiting select charities. For more information, call 877-2-RECYCLE or visit www.call2recycle.org.

 

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