Household Hazardous Waste Program Recognized for Rechargeable Battery Recycling
AUSTIN, TX, April 7, 2008 – The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a nonprofit, public service organization dedicated to recycling used rechargeable batteries, has recognized Austin’s Department of Solid Waste Services, Household Hazardous Waste program with a 2007 “Regional Recycling Leadership Award” for its efforts in rechargeable battery recycling. The award was presented on April 4 to Veronica Garza, Austin Department of Solid Waste Services, Household Hazardous Waste Program.
A Call2Recycle participant since 2004, Austin’s Department of Solid Waste Services has collected more than 13,000 pounds of rechargeable batteries to date. The department has a comprehensive public education program designed to build and maintain awareness of recycling used rechargeable batteries as well as the ability to recycle them at the Household Hazardous Waste recycling center or approximately 30 participating retail locations. In addition, a staff presence a community events such as Green Garden Expo, Green City Festival, and other department-sponsored electronics collection events, environmental fairs and school education events have helped encourage rechargeable battery and cellphone recycling in the Austin metro area.
“Call2Recycle is a wonderful program that is so beneficial to the city of Austin,” said Veronica Garza, Austin Department of Solid Waste Services. “To be able to recycle rechargeable batteries in a free and simple way is a tremendous asset to our local environmental preservation efforts, and receiving this award is truly an honor for us.”
“The Household Hazardous Waste Program in Austin is an outstanding recycling program for the community in Austin,” said Linda Gabor, Director of Marketing and Media Relations, RBRC. “The hard work and dedication of the staff, as well as their willingness to go above and beyond in recycling rechargeable batteries, has made this program the success that it is today.”
The RBRC Recycling Leadership Awards recognizes outstanding Call2Recycle participants each year for their exceptional efforts in rechargeable battery recycling. The awards are divided into regional and national categories with four U.S. regional award winners and two national award winners – one from the U.S. and one from Canada.
RBRC’s Call2Recycle program is available to communities and public agencies without any associated fees. There are currently more than 6,000 communities and public agencies enrolled in the program in the U.S. and Canada. For more information on implementing a recycling program, contact RBRC toll free at 877-2-RECYCLE or visit 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.
APR