The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp. announced its collection data for the first six months of this year, 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 public agencies who take part in the RBRC program to more than 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."
Highlights from the first six months of 2003 include:
The 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. 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 this past February. The new site maintains all of the information, 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.