Nearly 3.4 Million Pounds Of Rechargeable Batteries Collected In 2002

Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation’s collection numbers on the rise

ATLANTA, January 9, 2003 – The non-profit Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) announced a landmark year for the rechargeable battery recycling industry, collecting nearly 3.4 million pounds of rechargeable batteries in the U.S. and Canada in 2002, an increase of almost 12 percent from 2001.

Rechargeable batteries power an ever-growing list of cordless electronics products, including cellular and cordless phones, digital cameras, laptop computers, portable DVD and CD players, PDAs and cordless power tools.

“The RBRC message – If it’s rechargeable, it’s recyclable – continues to gain momentum each year,” said Ralph Millard, executive vice president, RBRC. “Since 1995, RBRC has recycled a total of over 17 million pounds of rechargeable batteries, which is over 30 million individual batteries. What makes this possible is the participants in the RBRC program – there are nearly 30,000 retailers, businesses and communities that serve as collection points for used rechargeables – that’s approximately one drop off site for every 10,000 people!”

RBRC works with national retailers, businesses and community recycling programs to set up convenient drop-off facilities for used rechargeable batteries. National participating retailers include Best Buy, Circuit City, The Home Depot, RadioShack, Sears, Target, Wal-Mart and many more.

Highlights from 2002 include:

  • The Home Depot named RBRC, along with Black&Decker/DeWalt, its “Environmental Partner of the Year” for their commitment to the environment.
  • The National Geographic Society and RBRC formed a partnership to help teach responsible battery disposal by distributing RBRC’s battery curriculum to educators connected to the National Geographic Society.
  • TELUS Mobility, one of Canada’s leading providers of voice, Internet and data services, signed on to RBRC’s battery collection program, available in TELUS stores across Canada.
  • The Recycling Council of Ontario awarded RBRC its prestigious Waste Minimization Award for non-profits.
  • Hits to the RBRC Web site www.rbrc.org increased by over 100 percent and calls to 1-800-8-BATTERY increased by 15 percent.

“The rise in rechargeable batteries collected also points to the continued demand for having an ‘unplugged’ lifestyle,” Millard continued. “RBRC conducted a survey in 2002 that found that respondents use an average of five cordless products every day, as compared to three in 1999. This means there are even more rechargeable batteries out there that can and should be recycled.”

To find nearby battery drop-off locations, consumers can simply log-on to www.rbrc.org or call 1-800-8-BATTERY, type in their zip code, and they are given a list of participating retailers and community collection programs.

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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.

 

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