The City of Austin, The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), the Recycling Alliance of Texas and RadioShack Team Up to Educate Consumers About the Importance of Recycling Rechargeable Batteries
AUSTIN, April 17, 2007 – With Earth Day less than a week away, residents of Austin now have one more way to “think green.” The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a nonprofit dedicated to the recycling of rechargeable batteries and cellphones, The Recycling Alliance of Texas and RadioShack today formally launched an awareness campaign, supported by the City of Austin, encouraging consumers to recycle their used rechargeable batteries through RBRC’s Call2Recycle™ program at RadioShack stores throughout the Austin area. Mayor Will Wynn joined Mayor Pro Tem Betty Dunkerley, RBRC executives and representatives from the Recycling Alliance of Texas and RadioShack to officially announce the initiative at a press conference at Main Plaza at City Hall (Lavaca Street side) at 10:00 A.M.
“Living a green way of life is important to the residents of the City of Austin,” said Mayor Wynn. “Participating in the Call2Recycle program is another easy and effective way for people to get involved not just on Earth Day, but all year long.”
“We are pleased that the City of Austin, the Recycling Alliance of Texas and RadioShack have joined us in our efforts to educate consumers about the importance of recycling rechargeable batteries,” said Rich Lockhart, Manager of Marketing Programs for RBRC. “It is through partnerships like these that we can continue to provide a free and easy service, and make it easy and convenient for consumers and businesses to recycle their used rechargeable batteries and old cellphones.”
According to National Geographic magazine, in 2006 the City of Austin was recognized as the second greenest city in the U.S.. In an effort to expand its green efforts to rechargeable battery recycling, the City of Austin worked with representatives from RBRC to implement a new advertising campaign, which runs until May 19, 2007 on local television and radio stations. The campaign emphasizes the importance of rechargeable battery recycling and encourages residents of Austin to bring their used rechargeable batteries and old cellphones to RadioShack stores throughout the Austin area.
“We are happy to play a role in helping spread the word about rechargeable battery recycling,” said Cis Myers, Executive Director, The Recycling Alliance of Texas. “As a leader in environmental conservation, the City of Austin encourages everyone to make the right call for the environment – the Call2Recycle.”
Consumers are invited to RadioShack at 9705 Research Boulevard from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. to experience RBRC’s interactive 53-foot long modular display and educational exhibit featuring a full-size racing simulator car and prize wheel. All are encouraged to bring used rechargeable batteries and old cellphones which will be collected on-site.
“At RadioShack, we are committed to offering the latest technology and electronic solutions, as well as the opportunity for our customers to help protect the environment,” said RadioShack District Manager, Ray Borman. “RBRC’s Call2Recycle program has made it easy for our customers to recycle while shopping in our stores; it is another service we are proud to offer.”
For more information on RBRC and how to recycle used rechargeable batteries and old cellphones, residents of the City of Austin are encouraged to call 1-877-2-RECYCLE or visit www.call2recycle.org.
For more information on City of Austin recycling programs visit www.AustinRecycles.com. For statewide programs check www.recycletx.com.
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The Recycling Alliance of Texas
The Recycling Alliance of Texas is dedicated to the furtherance of natural resource conservation and recycling to ensure economic and environmental quality in Texas. Our vision is to be the premier recycling information resource for Texas. The Alliance seeks to achieve a combination of partnerships with other organizations with similar interests. Information sharing will be key in order to preserve, much less improve, our world as we know it today.
The Alliance is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization properly registered with the Texas Secretary of State. It is governed by a 15 member board of directors elected by the membership at large. The primary office is in Austin.
About RadioShack Corporation
RadioShack Corporation (NYSE: RSH) is one of the nation’s most experienced and trusted consumer electronics specialty retailers. The company has a presence through more than 6,000 company-operated stores and dealer outlets in the U.S., over 100 RadioShack locations in Mexico and nearly 800 wireless phone kiosks. RadioShack’s dedicated force of knowledgeable and helpful sales associates has been consistently recognized by several independent groups as providing the best customer service in the consumer electronics and wireless industries. Operating from convenient and comfortable neighborhood and mall locations, RadioShack stores deliver personalized product and service solutions within a few short minutes of where most Americans either live or work. For more information on RadioShack Corporation, or to purchase items online, visit www.radioshack.com.
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.
APR