Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) announces plan to begin recycling all rechargeable battery chemistries in early 2001
GAINESVILLE, February 29, 2000 – The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a non-profit organization that operates a recycling program for Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) rechargeable batteries, today announced a plan to expand its recycling program to include additional rechargeable battery chemistries.
Beginning early 2001, the RBRC program will include Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) and Lithium Ion (Li-lon) rechargeable batteries — commonly found in cellular phones, laptop computers and other portable electronic products. In addition, small sealed Lead (Pb) rechargeable batteries, which power camcorders and electronic games, will be recycled under the new plan.
RBRC’s battery recycling program, Charge Up to Recycle!, currently recycles Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) rechargeable batteries – the power source for cordless phones and power tools — through retail stores, community collection centers and businesses across the U.S. and Canada. RBRC will use this existing structure to collect and recycle the additional rechargeable battery chemistries.
“It’s an exciting day for us because this expansion means we’re extending the reach of the Charge Up to Recycle! program and keeping more batteries out of the solid waste stream,” said C. Norman England, RBRC president and CEO.
Today, there are more than 29,000 retail and community locations across the U.S. and Canada participating in the Charge Up to Recycle! program. Consumers can find the nearest Ni-Cd battery drop-off location by calling 1-800-8-BATTERY or by going online at www.rbrc.org.
National U.S. retail stores participating in the program include: Ace Hardware, Ameritech, Batteries Plus, BellSouth Cellular, Black & Decker, Car Phone Store, Cellular One, Circuit City, GTE Wireless, Porter-Cable Factory Service Centers, RadioShack, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart. National Canadian retail stores include: Astral Photo Images, Authorized Motorola Dealers, Battery Plus, Black’s Photography, Canadian Tire, Future Shop, Home Hardware, London Drugs, Makita Factory Service Centers, Personal Edge/Centre du Rasoir, RadioShack, and Zellers.
RBRC is an international, not-for-profit public service organization that is funded by more than 285 manufacturers and marketers of portable rechargeable batteries and products. These companies are committed to preserving the environment and pay a fee to place the RBRC Battery Recycling Seal on Ni-Cd batteries and product packaging. RBRC’s international public education campaign and battery recycling program – Charge Up to Recycle! – is the result of the rechargeable power industry’s commitment to conserve natural resources and prevent Ni-Cd batteries from entering 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.
FEB