North America charged about battery recycling

The non-profit Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) has released year-end data showing that 5.6 million pounds of rechargeable batteries were collected in North America in 2006. This marks a significant increase over 2005, when just less than million pounds of batteries were collected. In a press release, the organization attributes the increase to a combination of factors, including greater participation from partners, including national retailers, businesses, communities and licensee recycling programs, and prominent battery recycling mandates, such as those implemented in California and New York City.

“We are pleased that our program continues to grow and welcome the participation of many new key partners,” said Ralph Millard, Executive Vice President, RBRC, in the release. “As consumers’ reliance on portable, cordless electronic products continues to grow, so does the need to recycle the batteries that power them, which is RBRC’s mission.”