Collection of Batteries for Recycling Increases

Call2Recycle has announced a 6.9 percent increase in overall battery collections last year. The increase was driven by a push by major retailers, municipalities and communities with a strong presence in the United States and Canada. Call2Recycle collected a total of 6.1 million pounds of rechargeable batteries last year.

The company attributes the increase in collections to greater efforts by major retailers participating in the battery collection program. Retailers of note include The Home Depot, Apple Computer, RadioShack, Lowe’s, Interstate All Battery Center and RONA. Together, these retailers collected 20 percent more batteries in 2009 than the prior year.

“Despite last year’s lower sales of batteries and the products that use them, we’re recycling more batteries than ever thanks to retailers that have embraced their role as environmental stewards,” said Carl Smith, president and CEO of RBRC, which operates Call2Recycle.

Call2Recycle, operated by the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp., claims that it is the only free rechargeable battery and cell phone collection program in North America.