Call2Recycle(R) Responds to Ontario Regulation for All Battery Recycling
Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation of Canada Seeks to Expand Its Program in Ontario to Be North America's First Mandated All-Battery Recycling Program
TORONTO--(Marketwire - August 4, 2009) - Responding to the Ontario Ministry of the
Environment's efforts to implement the province's Waste Diversion Act, the
Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation of Canada (RBRCC) has proposed
to expand its decade-long, free recycling program, Call2Recycle, by becoming an
official industry program for all household batteries. The Minister's
directive will result in the first mandated all-battery collection and
recycling program in North America, serving as a model for future industry
stewardship programs in the province and beyond.
"We echo and applaud the Ministry of the Environment's goal of attaining
'zero waste' in Ontario. In addition to lessening the negative
environmental impacts of waste, this movement reinforces the benefits --
and responsibility -- of reusing what we produce and consume," said Carl
Smith, Chairman, RBRCC. "More than 685,000 kilograms of rechargeable
batteries have been recycled in Ontario over the past decade through Call2Recycle. By recovering
resources from used batteries, we are taking one small step in helping the
Minister achieve this goal."
By expanding the Call2Recycle
program, the battery industry would be the first industry in Ontario to be
recognized as meeting Ontario's emerging waste management and resource
recovery plans. Call2Recycle's industry
stewardship plan (ISP) was submitted on behalf of battery stewards that
sell into Ontario and responds to the provincial call-to-action by
proposing to assume responsibility for all battery collections. Expansion
would be seamless and would continue to be free to consumers and collection
locations, as Call2Recycle's infrastructure -- existing collection sites,
service chain providers and relationships in the marketplace -- can be
leveraged to swiftly and efficiently accommodate the collection of all
household batteries, including alkaline and other primary batteries. The
expanded program could begin as early as January 1, 2010, taking advantage
of existing momentum in the Canadian marketplace and bolstering collections
well in advance of the targeted enactment of the province plan. The ISP
documents strategies to collect and recycle more than 10 million kilograms
of batteries in the province over five years.
An advisory committee comprised of battery steward representatives and
recycling experts will be established to guide the ISP toward its expansion
objectives and ensure continued success. Toronto-based RBRCC will continue
to support the growth of the Canadian green job market by employing local
partners, such as Newalta and Xstrata, to handle its sorting and processing
needs.
Call2Recycle is the first battery program committed to attain Basel Action
Network (BAN)
e-Steward qualification and upholds strict third-party standards for
environmental safety and social responsibility. Call2Recycle has collected
more than 22 million kilograms of rechargeable batteries in North America
since the program's inception in 1994. For more information and local
Call2Recycle collection sites where rechargeable batteries can be recycled
today, call toll-free 877-2-RECYCLE or visit www.call2recycle.org. Find
Call2Recycle on Facebook; learn more about Call2Recycle on
Wikipedia.
About RBRC
Call2Recycle® is the industry's first and only product stewardship
program for rechargeable batteries. The nonprofit program is administered
by the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a public service
organization dedicated to rechargeable battery recycling. There are more
than 30,000 Call2Recycle drop-off locations throughout the United States
and Canada. More than 175 manufacturers and marketers of portable
rechargeable batteries and products show their commitment to conserve
natural resources and prevent rechargeable batteries from entering the
solid waste stream by funding the Call2Recycle program. In pursuit of its
mission, Call2Recycle also collects old cell phones, which are either
recycled or refurbished and resold when possible with a portion of the
proceeds benefiting select charities.
Call2Recycle's submitted ISP can be found at
www.call2recycle.org/ontarioisp.