RBRC Reports Increase in Collection Numbers

The nonprofit Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation says its collection data for the first six months of 2006 reports a total of 2.4 million pounds of rechargeable batteries being collected in the U.S. and Canada through its Call2RecycleT program, an overall 6.4% increase from the same time period in 2005.

RBRC’s successful collection growth is due largely to the expansion of collection sites through its retailers, businesses, communities and public agency participation. Since January, RBRC, based in Atlanta, Georgia, has experienced a 10% increase in participation by adding 4,466 new collection sites to its current roster of over 30,000 sites.

In addition, the recently implemented California “Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act of 2006” (A.B. 1125) now requires California retailers who sell rechargeable batteries to provide consumers with a free program for returning and recycling them. In order to comply with the legislation, a growing number of retailers and licensees in California have also signed on to the RBRC program.

“The first six months of this year have demonstrated a steady increase in our collection of rechargeable batteries,” said Ralph Millard, RBRC executive vice president.