The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation will absorb all program costs previously charged to public agencies
ATLANTA, January 6, 2003 – The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a non-profit public service organization dedicated to recycling rechargeable batteries, today announced that any public agency that wishes to participate in its Charge Up to Recycle!® battery recycling program may do so free of charge beginning in January 2003.
In 2001, RBRC omitted fees associated with its community recycling program. Starting in January 2003, the program will be available at no charge to public agencies as well. This includes federal, state and local governmental agencies, public hospitals, police and fire departments, and military institutions. Since RBRC lifted its participation fees for communities, they have seen an increase in program participation of 21 percent.
“The reaction from the community to providing a free recycling program has been extremely positive. Offering the program free of charge to public agencies is the next step in helping to recycle as many rechargeable batteries 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. Even more important – the public does not have to absorb any costs associated with implementing the program.”
Highlights of the restructured program include the following:
- RBRC will handle the collection of all small portable rechargeable batteries, including Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-lon) and Small Sealed Lead (Pb)* rechargeable batteries
- RBRC will provide two- or five-box collection kits at no cost– each box holds approximately 40 pounds of rechargeable batteries and is valued at $50 **
- RBRC will pay for all shipping, materials, processing and recycling costs
Over 700 public agencies in the U.S. and Canada currently take part in the Charge Up to Recycle! ® program. These agencies are in addition to the over 30,000 retail locations and over 700 community programs across the U.S. and Canada participating in the RBRC program.
Rechargeable batteries are found in 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 rechargeable battery drop-off location by calling 1-800-8-BATTERY or by going online at www.rbrc.org.
“Our community has been an RBRC battery collection program participant for many years,” said Susan Haislip, Director of the Pike County Solid Waste Management District in Indiana. “Since RBRC omitted its fees for community participants last year, we have been able to further expand our program without expending additional resources. RBRC has continued to provide quality service and resources that make facilitating this program simple and effective. More important, our collection volumes have increased.”
For more information on implementing a recycling program through a public agency, contact RBRC at 678-419-9990.
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.
JAN