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More than 6.3 million pounds (2.8 million kilograms) of rechargeable batteries collected through the Call2Recycle program this year

ATLANTA, January 23, 2008 – The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a non-profit public service organization dedicated to recycling rechargeable batteries and cellphones, today reported a twelve percent increase in collection numbers, with more than 6.3 million pounds (2.8 million kilograms) of rechargeable batteries recycled in the U.S. and Canada through its Call2Recycle program.

Call2Recycle, the most comprehensive nationwide rechargeable battery and cellphone recycling program, provides a convenient way to collect and recycle old cellphones and used rechargeable batteries found in cordless electronic products, such as cordless power tools, two-way radios, cordless and cellular phones, laptop computers, digital cameras and camcorders.

“We are proud to report an increase in rechargeable battery collection numbers this year, which is a true testament to the efforts and participation of our many retail, consumer and community partners who have joined forces to further raise awareness of rechargeable battery recycling,” said Doug Smith, Chairman of the RBRC Board of Directors and Director of Corporate Environmental Affairs for Sony Electronics. “Additional factors such as state and local legislation and grassroots involvement have helped boost overall environmental awareness and underscore the importance of rechargeable battery recycling.”

The following are among the many efforts and activities that helped contribute to the increase in collection numbers:

• Circuit City Expanded Recycling Campaign: Circuit City became the first retailer to expand upon the Call2Recycle program by introducing a new consumer initiative that increases its participation in the program and further educates consumers on the importance of protecting the environment. In addition to regular Call2Recycle collection boxes currently available in Circuit City stores throughout the U.S., Circuit City also distributed individual collection bags to all customers that made an online purchase.
• “New York City Rechargeable Battery Law” (Local Law 97 of 2005): Legislation went into effect on December 1, 2006, prohibiting the disposal of rechargeable batteries as solid waste and requiring all New York City retailers that sell rechargeable batteries and products that contain them to collect used batteries. With more than 300 Call2Recycle locations in New York City, RBRC was named as the solution to help local retailers comply with the new law and offer a means for consumers to drop off used rechargeable batteries free of charge.
• New Mexico Recycling Awareness Month: Together with the New Mexico Recycling Coalition and the City of Albuquerque, RBRC supported a public awareness campaign during New Mexico Recycling Awareness Month encouraging consumers to recycle their used rechargeable batteries and old cellphones at Call2Recycle locations throughout the Albuquerque area. Since 2003, participating city agencies throughout Albuquerque have successfully collected more than 6,000 pounds of rechargeable batteries through Call2Recycle.
• Ten-Year Anniversary in Canada: RBRC celebrated its ten-year anniversary in Canada, where more than 7,000 collection locations throughout the country participate in the Call2Recycle program, including major retailers, community organizations and public agencies. Collection rates have increased steadily year over year, with a total of more than two million pounds (one million kilograms) of rechargeable batteries and cellphones collected over the last ten years. In 2007, RBRC collected more than 500,000 pounds (229,000 kilograms) of rechargeable batteries, an increase of nine percent over last year.
• Canadian Participants’ Initiatives: RBRC, along with Program Ambassador and hockey legend, Guy Lafleur, worked with several partners across Canada to educate consumers, retailers, businesses, communities and public agencies on the importance of rechargeable battery and cellphone recycling.
• In Montreal, RBRC celebrated the recycling partnership of the City of Montreal and the Montreal Fire Department who have organized collection sites at every fire station throughout the City to enable residents to drop-of their used rechargeable batteries and cellphones at locations close to home.
• In Calgary, RBRC presented the National Recycling Leadership Award to the Alberta Environment Action on Waste team for their coordination of a six-month call-to-action campaign that encouraged businesses, communities and public agencies in Alberta to join Call2Recycle. This campaign resulted in the addition of 41 new collection locations that, together with other locations in Alberta, collected more than 33,446 pounds (15,203 kilograms) of rechargeable batteries during the campaign period, an increase of 31 percent from the previous year.
• In Vancouver, RBRC recognized its partnership success with London Drugs, whose stores serve as RBRC collection locations throughout Western Canada

For more information or to find the nearest participating drop-off location, call 1-877-2-RECYCLE or go online at www.call2recycle.org.

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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