Make the Charge to Recycle! Celebrate Green Grads and Dads
ATLANTA, May 22, 2003 — College students graduating and Father’s Day approaching can only mean one thing – more gifts! When new grads and happy dads receive the hottest new cellphone, the latest digital camera or their “dream” cordless power tool, remind them to recycle. All of these products, and any that they might be replacing, are powered by rechargeable batteries that can and should be recycled.
Many people may not know that the rechargeable batteries that power the portable electronics products they use everyday, such as cellular and cordless phones, digital cameras, laptop computers, camcorders, electric toothbrushes, electric shavers and cordless power tools, can and should be recycled when they can no longer hold a charge. Before retiring old household portables, take a minute to check for and remove any used rechargeable batteries.
Consumers can call 1-800-8-BATTERY or go to www.rbrc.org to find a list of nearby drop off locations. All types of rechargeable batteries found in portable electronic products can be recycled: Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) and Small Sealed Lead (Pb)*. (* weighing less than 2 lbs. or 1 kg.)
GREEN TIPS:
With so many “batteries required” products on the market, make sure to follow these tips from The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation to maximize the use of your rechargeable batteries while they are still charged up:
- Follow the charging guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Depending on the individual product, there are specific initial battery charging times (usually overnight) before using the product for the first time. This will enable you to obtain maximum battery capacity.
- Let your battery cool to room temperature before recharging. The charge efficiency of most batteries is greatly reduced at elevated temperatures.
- Recharge batteries when they are near to fully discharged. You can tell that a battery is discharged by a sharp drop in power or speed.
- Keep the contact of rechargeable batteries clean – wipe them with a cloth soaked in alcohol.
- Never return a fully charged battery to the charger for an extra boost. This will overcharge the cells and shorten the life of the battery.
- Never leave your cellular phone, camcorder, etc., in the charger when not charging, unless approved by the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t use your charger as a stand! Continuous charging will shorten battery life.
- If your rechargeable battery will no longer hold a charge, call 1-800-8-BATTERY or go to www.rbrc.org to find the drop-off location nearest you.
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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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