Call2Recycle

History

• 2015
  Leading Battery Companies Select Call2Recycle to Manage First U.S. Single-Use Battery Recycling Program in Vermont.
  Call2Recycle signs Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to divert batteries from landfills in the Canadian provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.
  Call2Recycle Canada, Inc. signs a new collaborative agreement with the Canadian Battery Association (CBA) resulting in increased Canadian collection sites.
  In November, Marcus K. Boolish, Energizer and Daniel Hutter, from Spectrum Brands (Rayovac) elected to Call2Recycle, Inc. board of directors. In July, Norman Clubb appointed as Chairperson of Call2Recycle Canada, Inc. Board of Directors.
• 2014
  The non-profit organization that operates the Call2Recycle® program is officially changed from Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) to Call2Recycle, Inc.
• 2013
  The non-profit organization that operates the Call2Recycle® program is officially changed from Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) to Call2Recycle, Inc.
• 2012
  Call2Recycle expands its program to include household batteries in all Canadian provinces.
  Call2Recycle receives California Product Stewardship Council’s “Bow & Arrow Award” for Coalition Building
  Call2Recycle expands its program to include all household batteries, including alkalines, in Canada’s Quebec province.
  Call2Recycle announces in April the election of John Matthews, principal of Matthews Strategic Services, LLC, to the RBRC Board of Directors.
  Call2Recycle is awarded a Bronze Telly for its “Answer the Call” Public Service Announcement (PSA).
  Call2Recycle is the first program of its kind to receive Responsible Recycling Practices Standard (R2) certification.
• 2011
  Call2Recycle announces in January the election of John Bradford, Chief Innovations Officer for Interface Americas to the RBRC Board of Directors.
  Call2Recycle expanded its program to include all household batteries, including alkalines, in Canada’s Manitoba province.
• 2010
  Call2Recycle received a special permit from U.S. Department of Transportation for its all new collection box.
  Call2Recycle expanded its program to include all household batteries, including alkalines, in Canada’s British Columbia province.
  Call2Recycle launched MyCall2Recycle, a consumer awareness campaign that challenged Americans to recycle one million pounds of batteries.
• 2009
  Call2Recycle is the first battery program to be recognized by Basel Action Network for ensuring that battery waste is not dumped overseas.
  Andrew Sirjord, the vice president of operations for SANYO Energy (U.S.A), becomes the new chairman of the board of directors.
  Linda Biagioni, the vice president of environmental affairs for Black & Decker, is elected to the board of directors.
• 2008
  Call2Recycle expands its rechargeable battery collection program to include 5th chemistry, Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn).
  Call2Recycle partners with U.S. Forest Service and with Earth911.
  Maine enacts cellphone recycling legislation.
• 2007
  RBRC Canada celebrates its 10th anniversary.
  Mayor of City of San Diego, Jerry Sanders issues an official proclamation recognizing April 11 as Rechargeable Battery Recycling Awareness Day.
  The House of Representatives reads and adopts Georgia House Resolution 87, which commends RBRC as one of Georgia’s sustainable businesses.
  Call2Recycle receives Zephyr Award for 2005 Annual Report.
  US Ad Review selects “Recycling Isn’t Painful”, animal print ad series, as one of The Best In American Advertising.
• 2006
  New York City enacts rechargeable battery recycling bill.
  California implements rechargeable battery and cellphone recycling laws.
  Call2Recycle partners with Xentel DM and the Legendary Hockey Heroes Oldtimers’ Tour.
  Popular Science magazine presents “Ad of the Month” award to RBRC for “Recycling That’s Easy to Wrap Around” advertisement.
  Retired Cellphone Ad Campaign receives Silver Award from the 3rd Annual Service Industry Advertising Awards and Gold MarCom Creative Award.
  Call2Recycle receives SABRE Award of Excellence for the 2005 Fashion Week event.
  New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg issues letter of recognition.
• 2005
  Call2Recycle waives program fees for all U.S. and Canada businesses.
  The Nova Scotia Resource Recovery Fund Board presents Call2Recycle with “Industry Steward of the Year” award at 7th Annual Mobius Environmental Awards.
  New TV PSAs titled “Recycling Magic” feature environmental activist and eco-stylist Danny Seo.
  Call2Recycle renews and expands partnership with INMETCO.
  Recognized with a Gold MarCom Creative Award for its “Cellphone Retirement” ad campaign in the category of “Print Advertising Campaign”.
  Receives Gold Addy Award by the Raleigh chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF) for the “Cellphone Retirement” ad campaign.
  Call2Recycle receives a 2005 Outstanding Sustainable Style Achievement (OSSA) Award in the category of “Industrial Design & Consumer Products”.
• 2004
  RBRC announces new national program, Call2Recycle®, for recycling old cellphones, as well as used rechargeable batteries.
  Office Depot and Lowe’s enroll in the program.
  Recycling cellphones benefits charity, Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
  Call2Recycle and RadioShack team up to launch National Cellphone Recycling Week.
  New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg proclaims October 11 as National Cellphone Recycling Day.
  PSAs “Freedom” and “Cordless Cool” receive Silver Inkwell Communications Awards.
• 2003
  RBRC waives program fees for public agency participation.
  RBRC’s public education campaign generates 400 million media impressions.
  RBRC Canada receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Mayor of Ottawa for the Take It Back program.
  Popular Science magazine honors RBRC with “Ad of the Month” for the woodpecker with power drill print ad.
• 2002
  The Home Depot names RBRC, “Environmental Partner of the Year”.
  Hockey legend, Guy Lafleur champions the Canada program.
  RBRC receives Waste Minimization Award from the Recycling Council of Ontario.
  America Recycles Day presents RBRC with Certificate of Appreciation.
• 2001
  Program expands to include all small rechargeable batteries, adding Ni-MH, Li-ion, and Pb, along with Ni-Cd.
  Governor Jesse Ventura declares April 27 as Battery Check Day in the state of Minnesota.
• 2000
  New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani proclaims April 26 as Battery Check Day.
  “Gather Up Your Ni-Cds” TV PSA wins Silver Inkwell award.
  RBRC receives Pollution Prevention Award presented by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment.
• 1999
  The first ever Battery Check Day is initiated.
  RBRC is included into Canada’ EcoAction 2000 network.
  Renew America and the National Awards Council for the Environment Sustainability presents RBRC with a Certificate of Environmental Achievement.
  RBRC receives Recycling at Work Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
• 1998
  Keep America Beautiful presents a national award to RBRC.
• 1997
  Charge Up to Recycle!® program is launched in Canada.
  U.S. EPA certifies RBRC Battery Recycling Seal.
  Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada endorse program.
• 1996
  RBRC’ Charge Up to Recycle! program launches in the U.S. featuring Richard Karn, ‘Al’ from TV’s “Home Improvement”.
  Keep America Beatiful endorses Charge Up to Recycle! program.
• 1994
  The rechargeable power industry funds RBRC to provide collection and recycling of Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries.

Mission & Vision

Mission

On behalf of corporate stewards, we optimize collection, share our experience and expertise, and responsibly manage the end-of-life of batteries and other material.Battery recycling is not just business at Call2Recycle, but it is our mission. For over 20 years, we have been fulfilling that mission on behalf of 300+ battery and battery-powered product companies. Operating the highest quality battery recycling program through our commitment to environmental excellence remains the foundation on which our organization and our program were built and continue to operate.

Vision

Call2Recycle, Inc., is and will remain recognized as the premier product stewardship organization in North America, protecting and preserving the environment through responsible end-of-life management. We have built a set of strict environmental standards that will foster our position in the market, including:

Material Management and Processing

Call2Recycle’s established processor and sorter standards are the most rigorous in the world. To ensure that these standards are met, Call2Recycle uses a fair and transparent process to solicit bids and inquiries from service providers worldwide. The process is facilitated through a third-party, Reclay StewardEdge Inc., a renowned, international consultancy overseeing the proposal solicitation and evaluation. The selected processors and sorters must meet a combination of environmental and price requirements that optimize the overall performance of the program.

Third-Party Audits

To ensure compliance with its processor and sorter standards, Call2Recycle employs independent third-party environmental auditors to assure that materials collected in its program are sent only to processors who meet Call2Recycle’s standards. In addition, Call2Recycle subscribes to CHWMEG as a way of collecting independent and objective information for its processors.

Certifications

Call2Recycle seeks third-party certification to meet the highest standards of responsible recycling. It was the first battery recycling program to obtain Responsible Recycling© (R2:2013) certification and e-Stewards recognition by the Basel Action Network (BAN). These certifications affirm its commitment to proper downstream management of its battery collections, including not exporting to developing countries or sending materials to local landfills.

Recycling Optimization

We believe that it is not good enough to just collect batteries – it’s just as important to optimize how much of a recycled battery is used in a secondary product. The battery recycling process used by our program seeks to ensure that products generated by battery recycling can go back into the manufacturing of new products. Call2Recycle’s processors meet or exceed all global battery recycling standards. Our primary battery recycling efficiency rate exceeds 83%, which is one of the highest in the world. Battery Processing Byproducts Cadmium, lead, cobalt and zinc can be reclaimed and used in making new rechargeable and primary batteries creating a unique virtuous “cradle to cradle®” approach to recycling. Less than 1% of the battery that cannot be used for new batteries become a slag, which is an essential input into the construction of roads and bridges. No portion of any battery collected is ever landfilled.

From household appliances, to laptops, cellphones, and other portable electronics, batteries help power our modern world.

 But what happens when batteries lose their charge? Each year billions of batteries end up in landfills, where toxic metals could enter the waste stream and possibly harm our environment.

Imagine a different journey

When batteries are recycled, valuable metals can be recovered and used into new products such as silverware, pots and pans, new batteries, and even golf clubs!To do your part, recycle your used batteries at any one of our certified drop-off locations. Your batteries have worked hard for you—give them the chance at the second life they deserve.