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Local AFB recognized nationally for its efforts in recycling rechargeable batteries

NEW MEXICO, March 20, 2007 – The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a non-profit public service organization dedicated to recycling used rechargeable batteries and old cellphones, recognized Holloman Air Force Base with a 2006 “National Recycling Leadership Award” for its efforts in rechargeable battery recycling. RBRC presented the award on Monday, March 19th at 5:30 p.m. to Lt. Col. Andra Clapsaddle, commander 49th Civil Engineer Squadron, and Michael Jago, Pollution Prevention Program Manager, Holloman AFB, at the Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health (ESOH) Training Symposium in Pittsburgh, PA.

Since joining the RBRC program in 2001, Holloman AFB has played an instrumental role in the recycling of rechargeable batteries in New Mexico. Holloman AFB was recognized not only for being the largest volume participating base in the RBRC program in 2005, but also for having assisted in enrolling 10 additional AFB locations into the RBRC program, including: Altus AFB, Mountain Home AFB, Malstrom AFB, Barksdale AFB, Buckley AFB, Langley AFB, Los Angeles AFB, Canon AFB, Cheyenne Mountain AFB, and Sheppard AFB. Holloman Air Force Base also received the Federal Facility Recycling Program of the Year Award from the New Mexico Recycling Coalition in 2005.

To date, Holloman AFB has collected a total of 6,500 pounds of rechargeable batteries. In 2005, the base collected more than 2,300 pounds. Plus, the ten new bases have recycled an additional 2,187 pounds since their enrollment.

“We are honored to be recognized for our recycling efforts to date and hope to continue to raise the bar on our collection efforts by encouraging other bases to join in as well,” said Michael Jago, Pollution Prevention Program Manager, Holloman AFB.

“What is truly commendable about the recycling efforts of the Holloman Air Force Base is that they did not simply stay within the confines of their own community,” said Ralph Millard, Executive Vice President, RBRC. “They saw the opportunity to help enhance and enlarge the RBRC program by calling on their sister bases, and they did this with tremendous success.”

The RBRC Recycling Leadership Award recognizes RBRC program participants each year for their outstanding efforts in rechargeable battery and cellphone recycling. This year, the Alberta Environment, Action on Waste Program, Alberta, Canada received the other national award, while the Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management, Cantonment, Florida; the Marion County Department of Public Works – Environmental Services, Salem, Oregon; the New York City Police and Fire Departments (NYPD/FDNY), New York, New York; and the Illinois Department of Corrections, Springfield, Illinois all received regional recycling leadership awards.

The RBRC rechargeable battery recycling program is available to communities and public agencies without any associated fees. There are currently over 5,000 communities and public agencies that have signed on to recycle rechargeable batteries in the U.S. and Canada. For more information on implementing a recycling program, contact RBRC toll free at 877-2-RECYCLE or go to www.rbrc.org.

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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.