Duane Reade Exceeds Minimum Requirement by Offering to Recycle Cell Phones, as well as Rechargeable Batteries in All Store Locations
NEW YORK, December 1, 2006 – Duane Reade Holdings, Inc., the leading drug store chain in metropolitan New York, and the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a nonprofit, public service organization dedicated to recycling used rechargeable batteries and old cellphones, announced today a new partnership to integrate RBRC’s recycling program, Call2Recycle™ in all Duane Reade stores.
This partnership complies with, and goes beyond, the “New York City Rechargeable Battery Law” (Local Law 97) put into effect today, which requires all New York City retailers that sell rechargeable batteries to provide collection boxes to recycle the used batteries. Duane Reade and RRBC have taken the initiative to also offer recycling for cellphones in all Duane Reade stores, including those outside New York State.
The Call2Recycle™ program, the most comprehensive nationwide rechargeable battery and cellphone recycling program, allows Duane Reade customers to drop off used rechargeable batteries and old cellphones at no cost. RBRC collection boxes are in place at all 249 Duane Reade stores. Duane Reade will recycle used rechargeable batteries found in many commonly used electronic devices such as: digital cameras, laptop computers, PDAs, cordless power tools, camcorders, cordless phones and cellphones for reuse, recycling or proper disposal.
“Duane Reade is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment, and our partnership with RBRC underscores our commitment to protecting the environment” said Rick Dreiling, CEO and president of Duane Reade. “By implementing RBRC’s Call2Recycle™ program, our customers can now easily access and conveniently recycle their batteries and cellphones in our many store locations.”
“As one of the greenest cities in the country, mandating the proper disposal of rechargeable batteries is one more way that New York City strives to be a leader in environmental efforts. Our partnership with Duane Reade will enable us to play a larger role in this green movement by providing free and convenient battery collection sites throughout the city,” said Ralph Millard, executive vice president, RBRC. “We look forward to expanding Call2Recycle™ in the New York City area and helping more local retailers to institute their own free and easy-to-implement rechargeable battery recycling programs.”
###
About Duane Reade
Founded in 1960, Duane Reade is the largest drug store chain in the metropolitan New York City area, offering a wide variety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, health and beauty care items, cosmetics, greeting cards, photo supplies and photofinishing. As of September 30, 2006, the Company operated 250 stores.
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.
DEC