Contact Information: CONTACT: Briana Papa Crenshaw Communications 646-484-4573 briana@crenshawcomm.com Susan Antler RBRC 416-535-9210 santler@rbrc.ca
Call2Recycle Reaches Milestone Collection Mark in Rechargeable Battery Recycling Efforts
Industry's First and Only Product Stewardship Program Total Rechargeable Battery Collections Exceeds 22 Million Kilograms
| Source: Call2Recycle
ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwire - April 15, 2009) - Call2Recycle®, the nation's most
successful rechargeable battery and
cell phone recycling solution, today announced that total collections
since the program's inception in 1994 now exceed 22 million kilograms of
rechargeable batteries. The amount of rechargeable batteries recycled
through the program is equivalent to the weight of approximately 5,000
elephants. Through ongoing initiatives with retail and community partners
and grassroots community efforts, Call2Recycle has steadily grown its
annual collections over the past 15 years and spread the rechargeable battery recycling
message to consumers nationwide.
"We are proud of this achievement, which has benefited the environment by
keeping more than 22 million kilograms of rechargeable batteries out of
landfills and the solid waste stream. This success is a testament to the
admirable efforts of our partners, whose ongoing support and championing of
Call2Recycle has been instrumental in raising consumer awareness and
encouraging participation," said Carl Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Corporation (RBRC). "As
product stewardship legislation and e-waste trends continue to be at the
forefront of green initiatives, Call2Recycle will remain committed to
ongoing education efforts that encourage consumers and businesses to reduce
the environmental impact of their waste."
There are more than 30,000 public drop-off locations in the U.S. and
Canada, whereby Call2Recycle partners have helped to collect and recycle
more than 22 million kilograms of used rechargeable batteries and cell
phones. The program scope has grown over the last 15 years to encompass new
battery chemistries and devices. Recognizing that consumers are upgrading
their devices at an accelerated rate, Call2Recycle started accepting old
cell phones in 2004 to ensure that the batteries they contain are properly
recycled. The program further expanded last year by accepting a new
battery chemistry -- for the first time in seven years -- and now collects
nickel zinc rechargeable batteries in addition to nickel cadmium, nickel
metal hydride, lithium ion and small sealed lead acid battery chemistries.
Call2Recycle works diligently to strengthen relationships with its partners
through grassroots community collection drives and on-site recycling events
with retail partners, as well as by publicizing the retailers'
environmental efforts as part of Call2Recycle's ongoing public awareness
campaign. Call2Recycle recognizes community and public agencies that
demonstrate exceptional recycling efforts with its Recycling Leadership
Awards, awarded annually to leaders in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, as
legislation mandating rechargeable battery and/or cell phone recycling has
to come pass in recent years in California, Maine and New York City,
Call2Recycle has worked with local communities and retailers to provide a
free and convenient method of compliance for consumers and businesses
alike.
Call2Recycle's Canadian presence has grown steadily since 1997, as it has
worked closely with its Canadian retail and public agency partners to gain
support for rechargeable battery recycling. Through public service
announcements, education awareness campaigns and a presence at national
exhibitions and events, Call2Recycle continues to establish itself as a
reliable and effective recycling solution, particularly as product
stewardship legislation is emerging in Canada at the provincial level.
Administered by the RBRC, Call2Recycle is a free and convenient way to
recycle old cell phones and used rechargeable batteries found in cordless
electronic products, such as laptop computers, digital cameras, cordless
power tools, PDAs, mp3 players, camcorders and two-way radios. For more
information and local Call2Recycle collections sites, call toll-free
877-2-RECYCLE or visit www.call2recycle.org.
About RBRC
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 United States
and Canada. More than 350 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 cell phones, which are either
recycled or refurbished and resold when possible with a portion of the
proceeds benefiting select charities such as Kids Help Phone. For more
information, call 877-2-RECYCLE or visit www.call2recycle.org.