Content

Over two million pounds of rechargeable batteries collected in first half of 2003

ATLANTA, July 15, 2003 – Being green is in and it’s showing in record numbers. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a nonprofit, public service organization dedicated to recycling rechargeable batteries, today announced its collection data for the first six months of 2003, reporting that they collected two million pounds of rechargeable batteries – a 30 percent increase for the same time period for 2002.

In addition, RBRC reported a 30 percent increase in program participation, adding 880 new collection sites. This brings the total number of businesses, communities and pubic agencies who take part in the RBRC program to over 3,700 in the U.S. and Canada.

“As the use of wireless products continues to grow so do the number of rechargeable batteries that can and should be recycled,” said Ralph Millard, executive vice president of RBRC. “We are pleased to see that our recycling numbers continue to grow in response to the trend of an ‘unplugged’ lifestyle. This means that consumers, businesses, communities and public agencies are thinking greener and acting on it.”

Rechargeable batteries power an ever-growing list of cordless electronics products, including cellular and cordless phones, digital cameras, laptop computers, portable DVD and CD players, PDAs and cordless power tools.

Highlights from the first six months of 2003 include:

Addition of Staples to the RBRC program – The rollout of the RBRC program in Staples marks the first time RBRC has joined forces with a national office supply retailer. With approximately 1,100 Staples stores in the U.S., the RBRC/Staples program adds to the over 30,000 sites throughout the U.S. and Canada that consumers can access to drop off their used rechargeable batteries.

No-cost public agency recycling program – In January 2003, RBRC announced a no-cost program for public agencies. This means that any federal, state or local governmental agency, as well as public hospitals, police and fire departments, and military institutions that want to recycle rechargeable batteries can now do so for free. Since RBRC removed its program fees, nearly 500 public agencies have signed on – an increase of 97 percent.

Relaunch of www.rbrc.org — RBRC revamped its website and relaunched it in February 2003.
The new site maintains all of the important information and functions of the old site but presents a cleaner look and offers easier navigation, including: a comprehensive database that consumers can use to find the nearest location to recycle their rechargeable batteries; information on federal and state battery recycling laws; downloadable images that participants in the RBRC program can use for promotional materials; an online press kit and information in Spanish, French and Chinese. Since the relaunch, monthly hits to www.rbrc.org have averaged 30,000, a 50 percent increase from 2002.

“Our goal is to continue to develop new and innovative ways to make it easy to recycle rechargeable batteries,” Millard continued. “Our objectives for the rest of the year remain educating consumers and program participants on the importance, and ease, of recycling rechargeable batteries. We look forward to continued growth in the next six months.”

To find nearby battery drop-off locations, log-on to www.rbrc.org or call 1-800-8-BATTERY, type in your zip code, and a list of participating retailers and community collection programs is provided.

###

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.