Call2Recycle cellphone recycling now available through communities and public agencies nationwide
ATLANTA, September 1, 2004 – The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a non-profit public service organization dedicated to recycling rechargeable batteries and cellphones, today announced the rollout of Call2Recycle™, a nationwide cellphone recycling program now available to communities and public agencies nationwide.
By 2005, roughly 200 million cellphones will be in use in the U.S., and approximately 130 million phones will be retired each year, according to INFORM. A survey conducted by NOP World for RBRC revealed that more than 70% of respondents are unaware that cellphones are recyclable, though nearly 90% indicated they would do so if provided with convenient drop-off points.
Beginning today, Call2Recycle™ will be available to all communities and public agencies including federal, state and local governmental agencies, public hospitals, police and fire departments, and military institutions to encourage people to drop off their old cellphones. In addition to benefiting the environment, a portion of the proceeds received from the resale of cellphones will benefit charitable organizations, such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
“Expanding our recycling efforts to the collection of used cellphones through communities and public agencies is the next step in helping to recycle as many rechargeable batteries and cellphones as possible,” said Ralph Millard, Executive Vice President, RBRC. “While so many public programs, including those involving recycling, are getting either cut or reduced significantly, the RBRC program is growing and expanding.”
Highlights of the Call2Recycle program include the following:
- Cell phones will be collected in newly designed all-in-one cellphone and battery collection boxes.
- Old phones will either be recycled into components and base materials for other uses, or refurbished and resold.
- A portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity.
- The rechargeable batteries in the phones will be recycled through RBRC’s existing battery recycling channels.
- www.call2recycle.org: a Web site and toll free help line, 1-877-2-RECYCLE, dedicated to providing program information and drop-off locations. Community locations will be listed on web site and help line, public agencies will not.
- No cost to participate for communities and public agencies
Since 1994, RBRC has collected over 22 million pounds of rechargeable batteries – those found in a growing list of portable electronics products, including a wide range of portable electronic products, including cellular and cordless phones, two-way radios, camcorders, laptop computers and cordless power tools. Consumers can find the nearest participating drop-off location by calling 1-877-2-RECYCLE or 1-800-8-BATTERY or by going online at www.call2recycle.org or 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.
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