Richard Karn Teams with Habitat for Humanity in New York and Science Students in Toronto to Promote Rechargeable Battery Recycling
NEW YORK, April 19, 2000 – Battery Check Day (April 26) – a national day encouraging consumers to recycle the rechargeable batteries that power cordless products — kicks off on April 25 in New York City with actor Richard Karn, “Al Borland” of TV's Home Improvement.
Sponsored by the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a nonprofit public service organization, Battery Check Day is part of a national campaign to increase public participation in rechargeable battery recycling in the U.S. and Canada. Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd) rechargeable batteries, the power source in a host of cordless products including power tools, cordless and cellular telephones, camcorders and portable electronic products, can be recharged up to 1,000 times and then recycled after a long and useful life.
On April 25, Karn will team with Habitat for Humanity of New York to put his handyman skills to good use at the 100,000th Habitat-built house in the world, located at 233 W. 134th Street in Harlem. The house is one of 10 homes in Central Harlem being rehabilitated as part of the Jimmy Carter Work Project, to be completed in September 2000.
“Cordless power tools help bring homes together, but people rarely consider the batteries behind them,” said Karn. “Nickel-Cadmium rechargeable batteries can and should be recycled. I'm thrilled to be able to help rehabilitate this home in Harlem and to teach folks how they can help the environment by recycling their used rechargeable batteries.”
Karn continues his Battery Check Day campaign on April 26 in Toronto, Ontario, where he will meet science students at the Ontario Science Center to test their knowledge of battery power and recycling.
According to a recent NPD Group survey conducted for RBRC, 95 percent of U.S. households own at least one type of cordless product. By participating in Battery Check Day, consumers in the U.S. and Canada can collect their used Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries and take them in for recycling. Consumers simply call 1-800-8-BATTERY, or visit the RBRC Web site at www.rbrc.org, to find the nearest community recycling center or retail store among the more than 29,000 participating locations in the U.S. and Canada.
“Battery Check Day offers consumers a chance to do something good for the environment and good for themselves,” said Norm England, President and CEO of RBRC. “Used rechargeable batteries lying around people's homes aren't doing anyone any good. With their participating in Battery Check Day, consumers can recycle those batteries and keep them out of the solid waste stream.”
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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.
JUN