Call2Recycle
Encyclopedia
Call2Recycle® is the only free rechargeable battery and cell phone collection program in North America. Since 1996, Call2Recycle has diverted over 60 million pounds of rechargeable batteries from the solid waste stream and through a network of 30,000 public and 30,000 private collection sites. Advancing green business practices and environmental sustainability, Call2Recycle is an active voice promoting eco-safe reclamation and recycling
of rechargeable batteries and cell phones. Founded in 1994, Call2Recycle is operated by RBRC, a non-profit organization.
Call2Recycle collections are available at many national retailers, including:
In the U.S.: Best Buy
, The Home Depot
, Interstate All Battery Centers, Lowe's
, RadioShack
, Staples
In Canada: Best Buy, Canadian Tire
, Future Shop, The Home Depot, London Drugs
, Rona, Sony Style, The Source, Zellers
STEP 1: Batteries and Cell Phones Collected at Collection Sites
Collection sites throughout the U.S. and Canada accept rechargeable batteries and cell phones for recycling from their employees or the public. There is no cost to recycle.
Who can be a collection site? Businesses, retailers, communities, and public agencies can participate and recycle for free.
STEP 2: Collection Locations Ship Batteries and Cell Phones to Recycling Facility
Collection sites ship batteries and cell phones for free to contracted sorting and recycling facilities. Collection sites setup with Call2Recycle's collection kit will automatically receive additional kits and materials when their inventory runs low. Bulk shipping options are also available.
STEP 3: New Products are Born
Precious metals recovered from used batteries create new batteries and stainless steel products. Cell phones are recycled, refurbished and/or resold. When resold, a portion of the proceeds are donated to select charities. None of the broken down material makes its way into landfills.
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
of rechargeable batteries and cell phones. Founded in 1994, Call2Recycle is operated by RBRC, a non-profit organization.
Funding
Call2Recycle is funded by battery and product manufacturers across the globe committed to environmentally-sound recycling of rechargeable batteries and cell phones. These manufacturers, global Industry Stewards, place the RBRC recycling seal on their rechargeable products and batteries, affirming their commitment to the environment and informing users that batteries are recyclable.History
The program launched in the U.S. in 1996 (1997 in Canada) as Charge Up to Recycle! to collect and recycle Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries. In 2001, the program expanded to include all consumer rechargeable batteries, adding Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), and Small Sealed Lead Acid (SSLA/Pb). It was renamed Call2Recycle in 2004 to reflect the program's expanded focus to also collect cell phones, which contain rechargeable batteries. In 2008, Call2Recycle added a fifth chemistry, Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn), to its collection program. In 2009, it became the first battery program to receive e-Stewards recognition by the Basel Action Network (BAN) which ensures that waste is not exported to third world countries.How the Program Works
As a true product stewardship program, Call2Recycle does not charge any fees to consumers to recycle rechargeable batteries or cell phones. Anyone can deposit these products inside branded collection boxes available at tens of thousands of local retail, business and community collection sites. Likewise, it is completely free of charge for businesses, public agencies (i.e. hospital, police department or fire department), municipalities or retailers who sell cell phones and/or rechargeable batteries and battery-powered products to enroll as collection sites.Call2Recycle collections are available at many national retailers, including:
In the U.S.: Best Buy
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
, The Home Depot
The Home Depot
The Home Depot is an American retailer of home improvement and construction products and services.The Home Depot operates 2,248 big-box format stores across the United States , Canada , Mexico and China, with a 12-store chain...
, Interstate All Battery Centers, Lowe's
Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in...
, RadioShack
RadioShack
RadioShack Corporation is an American franchise of electronics retail stores in the United States, as well as parts of Europe, South America and Africa. As of 2008, RadioShack reported net sales and operating revenues of $4.81 billion. The headquarters of RadioShack is located in Downtown...
, Staples
Staples, Inc.
Staples Inc. is a large office supply chain store, with over 2,000 stores worldwide in 26 countries. Based in Framingham, Massachusetts, United States, the company has retail stores, serving customers under its original name in Austria, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Norway,...
In Canada: Best Buy, Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited is one of Canada's 60 largest publicly traded companies. The firm operates an inter-related network of businesses engaged in retailing hardgoods, apparel and petroleum as well as financial and automotive services, employing more than 58,000 people across Canada...
, Future Shop, The Home Depot, London Drugs
London Drugs
London Drugs is a chain of Canadian retail stores with headquarters in Richmond, British Columbia. Its primary focus is on pharmaceuticals, electronics, housewares and cosmetics, with a limited selection of grocery items...
, Rona, Sony Style, The Source, Zellers
Zellers
Zellers Inc. is Canada's second-largest chain of mass merchandise discount stores, with locations in communities across Canada. A subsidiary of the Hudson's Bay Company , it has 273 locations across the country....
STEP 1: Batteries and Cell Phones Collected at Collection Sites
Collection sites throughout the U.S. and Canada accept rechargeable batteries and cell phones for recycling from their employees or the public. There is no cost to recycle.
Who can be a collection site? Businesses, retailers, communities, and public agencies can participate and recycle for free.
STEP 2: Collection Locations Ship Batteries and Cell Phones to Recycling Facility
Collection sites ship batteries and cell phones for free to contracted sorting and recycling facilities. Collection sites setup with Call2Recycle's collection kit will automatically receive additional kits and materials when their inventory runs low. Bulk shipping options are also available.
STEP 3: New Products are Born
Precious metals recovered from used batteries create new batteries and stainless steel products. Cell phones are recycled, refurbished and/or resold. When resold, a portion of the proceeds are donated to select charities. None of the broken down material makes its way into landfills.
Environmental Concerns
Some rechargeable batteries contain metals that could potentially harm the environment if disposed of in a landfill or incinerator. Recycling them creates new, reused materials (i.e. reclaimed metals) that can be used to make other productsAwards & Highlights
- 2011 - Call2Recycle begins collecting all single-use household batteries in Canada's Manitoba; New York State Enacts Rechargeable Battery Law (effective December 5, 2011)
- 2010 - Call2Recycle begins collecting all single-use household batteries in Canada's provinces of British Columbia and Ontario
- 2009 – Call2Recycle is the first battery program to receive e-Stewards recognition by Basel Action Network (BAN) for proper handling of battery waste.
- 2008- Call2Recycle expands its rechargeable battery collection program to include Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn)
- 2006 – State of California and New York City implement Rechargeable Battery Recycling Law to ban the disposal of rechargeable batteries in regular trash; Call2Recycle recognized in both laws as a solution for compliance.
- 2004 – RBRC expands program to begin accepting old cell phones for recycling; announces new program name, Call2Recycle®
- 2002 - The Home Depot Names the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation Environmental Partner of the Year
- 2001 – The program expands to include all consumer rechargeable batteries, adding Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), and Small Sealed Lead Acid (SSLA/Pb)
- 2000 – RBRC receives Pollution Prevention Award presented by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment
- 1999 – RBRC is included in Canada's EcoAction 2000 network; Renew America and the National Awards Council for the Environment Sustainability presents RBRC with a Certificate of Environmental Achievement
- 1998 – Keep America Beautiful presents a national award to RBRC
- 1997 – U.S. EPA certifies RBRC Battery Recycling Seal
- 1994 – RBRC is founded by the rechargeable battery industry to collect and recycle Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries