The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation Reports Increase In Collection Numbers
Commitment to Environment Greater than Ever in 2004
Atalanta, GA -- The nonprofit Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) today announced its collection data for 2004, reporting more than 4.4 million pounds of rechargeable batteries in the U.S. and Canada, an increase of 7.7 percent from 2003. In addition, RBRC's Call2Recycle™ cell phone and rechargeable battery collection program has collected more than 48,000 cell phones since its launch in April 2004.
Since 2003, RBRC has experienced an increase in participation with national retailers, businesses, communities and licensee recycling programs to set up convenient drop-off facilities for used rechargeable batteries and cell phones. In 2004, community participation increased 19 percent while public agency participation increased an astounding 39 percent, which can be attributed at least in part to RBRC waiving all associated fees for program participation.
Consumer interest also peaked in 2004 with more than 575,000 hits for both Web sites combined, an overall 31 percent increase from last year. In addition to logging on, consumers also inquired via the existing 1-800-BATTERY help line, with calls up 8 percent over last year; in addition the new Call2Recycle (1-877-2-RECYCLE) help line averaged over 1,000 calls per month since its inception.
"We are pleased to see that not only our partners' interest, but also the interest of consumers in general continues to grow in response to an unplugged lifestyle," said Ralph Millard, RRBC Executive Vice President. "The numbers show that everyone is thinking "greener" than ever."
Highlights from 2004 include:
- Launch of Call2Recycle cell phone recycling program. Call2Recycle all-in-one cell phone and battery collection boxes were shipped to 30,000 participating retailers. Through Call2Recycle, portions of the proceeds from refurbished phones benefit national charities such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
- Launch of RBRC's Call2Recycle Web site, which provides a comprehensive database for consumers can use to find the nearest location to recycle their rechargeable batteries.
- Cell phone recycling fees waived for Public Agency program. Hospital, police and fire departments no longer pay for the shipping of rechargeable batteries collected from mission critical equipment.
- Launched National Cell Phone Recycling Week. Celebrated partnership between RBRC and RadioShack to encourage consumers to recycle their old cell phones at RadioShack locations to benefit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC.)
- Recipient of 2004 Silver Inkwell Award. Presented by the Washington D.C. chapter of International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) for "Freedom" and "Cordless Cool" PSA's in recognition of high quality work in the field of business communication.
"We would like to thank all of our 400-plus licensees and the 30,000-plus retailers, businesses and communities that serve as collection points for used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones," said Millard. "It is through their commitment that our program has continued to grow."
About RBRC
The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) is a nonprofit, public service organization dedicated to rechargeable battery and cell phone recycling. There are over 30,000 retail and community collection locations that participate in RBRC's cell phone and rechargeable battery recycling program throughout the U.S.* and Canada. (*48 contiguous states). RBRC is funded by more than 300 manufacturers and marketers of portable rechargeable batteries and products. RBRC's public education campaign and recycling program is the result of the rechargeable power industry's commitment to conserve natural resources and prevent cell phones and rechargeable batteries from entering the solid waste stream. Cell phones collected through the Call2Recycle™ program will be recycled or refurbished and resold when possible with a portion of the proceeds benefiting select charities. Contributions or gifts to RBRC are not tax deductible. For more information visit www.call2recycle.org.
Source: The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation