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Local organization recognized for its efforts in recycling rechargeable batteries

ILLINOIS, July 16, 2007 – The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a nonprofit public service organization dedicated to recycling used rechargeable batteries and old cellphones, recognized the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) with the 2006 “Regional Recycling Leadership Award.” RBRC presented the award on June 13th, 2007, to IDOC Director Roger E. Walker Jr. at the agency’s general headquarters in Springfield, Ill.

Since joining the RBRC program in 2002, IDOC has instigated a successful statewide enrollment program with 21 strategically-placed collection locations for rechargeable batteries in correction department radio shops. Ron Alexander, communications equipment technician at IDOC, works with each site to make collections available in each location and is working to expand collections to other departments throughout the agency. In 2006, IDOC efforts resulted in the collection of nearly 2,100 pounds of rechargeable batteries.

“The Call2Recycle™ program is a great partnership between the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation,” said Director Walker. “The Illinois Department of Corrections generates a significant number of spent batteries and this program is a simple and easy way for us to do our part to protect the environment. We are pleased to participate in the program and will continue to look at expanding recycling opportunities at all of our facilities.”

“It is through efforts by groups like the Illinois Department of Corrections that we continue to develop new and innovative ways to make it easy to recycle used rechargeable batteries and old cellphones,” said Norm England, President & CEO, RBRC. “Our shared goal is to continue to educate community agencies about the importance, and ease, of recycling rechargeable batteries and cellphones.”

The RBRC Recycling Leadership Award recognizes RBRC community program participants each year for their outstanding efforts in rechargeable battery and cellphone recycling. This year, RBRC awarded the National Recycling Leadership Award to the Holloman Air Force Base and the Alberta Environment, Action on Waste program in Canada. Additionally, RBRC awarded three other Regional Recycling Leadership Awards to the New York City Police and Fire Departments, Marion County Public Works and the Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management.

The RBRC rechargeable battery and cellphone recycling program is available to communities and public agencies without any associated fees. There are currently over 5,000 local communities that participate in the Call2Recycle program throughout U.S. and Canada. For more information on implementing a recycling program, contact RBRC toll free at 877-723-1297 or go to www.rbrc.org/.

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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.