Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) Reports 12 Percent Increase in Collection Numbers for 2007

    More than 6.3 million pounds (2.8 million kilograms) of rechargeable
    batteries collected through the Call2Recycle(TM) program this year

    ATLANTA, Jan. 23 /CNW/ -- The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation
(RBRC), a non-profit public service organization dedicated to recycling
rechargeable batteries and cell phones, today reported a twelve percent
increase in collection numbers, with more than 6.3 million pounds (2.8 million
kilograms) of rechargeable batteries recycled in the U.S. and Canada through
its Call2Recycle(TM) program.
    Call2Recycle, the most comprehensive nationwide rechargeable battery and
cell phone recycling program, provides a convenient way to collect and recycle
old cell phones and used rechargeable batteries found in cordless electronic
products, such as cordless power tools, two-way radios, cordless and cellular
phones, laptop computers, digital cameras and camcorders.
    "We are proud to report an increase in rechargeable battery collection
numbers this year, which is a true testament to the efforts and participation
of our many retail, consumer and community partners who have joined forces to
further raise awareness of rechargeable battery recycling," said Doug Smith,
Chairman of the RBRC Board of Directors and Director of Corporate
Environmental Affairs for Sony Electronics. "Additional factors such as state
and local legislation and grassroots involvement have helped boost overall
environmental awareness and underscore the importance of rechargeable battery
recycling."
    The following are among the many efforts and activities that helped
contribute to the increase in collection numbers:

     -- Circuit City Expanded Recycling Campaign: Circuit City became the
        first retailer to expand upon the Call2Recycle program by introducing
        a new consumer initiative that increases its participation in the
        program and further educates consumers on the importance of
        protecting the environment. In addition to regular Call2Recycle
        collection boxes currently available in Circuit City stores
        throughout the U.S., Circuit City also distributed individual
        collection bags to all customers that made an online purchase.

     -- "New York City Rechargeable Battery Law" (Local Law 97 of 2005):
        Legislation went into effect on December 1, 2006, prohibiting the
        disposal of rechargeable batteries as solid waste and requiring all
        New York City retailers that sell rechargeable batteries and products
        that contain them to collect used batteries.  With more than 300
        Call2Recycle locations in New York City, RBRC was named as the
        solution to help local retailers comply with the new law and offer a
        means for consumers to drop off used rechargeable batteries free of
        charge.

     -- New Mexico Recycling Awareness Month:  Together with the New Mexico
        Recycling Coalition and the City of Albuquerque, RBRC supported a
        public awareness campaign during New Mexico Recycling Awareness Month
        encouraging consumers to recycle their used rechargeable batteries
        and old cell phones at Call2Recycle locations throughout the
        Albuquerque area. Since 2003, participating city agencies throughout
        Albuquerque have successfully collected more than 6,000 pounds of
        rechargeable batteries through Call2Recycle.

     -- Ten-Year Anniversary in Canada: RBRC celebrated its ten-year
        anniversary in Canada, where more than 7,000 collection locations
        throughout the country participate in the Call2Recycle program,
        including major retailers, community organizations and public
        agencies. Collection rates have increased steadily year over year,
        with a total of more than two million pounds (one million kilograms)
        of rechargeable batteries and cell phones collected over the last ten
        years. In 2007, RBRC collected more than 500,000 pounds (229,000
        kilograms) of rechargeable batteries, an increase of nine percent
        over last year.

     -- Canadian Participants' Initiatives: RBRC, along with Program
        Ambassador and hockey legend, Guy Lafleur, worked with several
        partners across Canada to educate consumers, retailers, businesses,
        communities and public agencies on the importance of rechargeable
        battery and cell phone recycling.

          - In Montreal, RBRC celebrated the recycling partnership of the
            City of Montreal and the Montreal Fire Department who have
            organized collection sites at every fire station throughout the
            City to enable residents to drop-of their used rechargeable
            batteries and cell phones at locations close to home.
          - In Calgary, RBRC presented the National Recycling Leadership
            Award to the Alberta Environment Action on Waste team for their
            coordination of a six-month call-to-action campaign that
            encouraged businesses, communities and public agencies in Alberta
            to join Call2Recycle. This campaign resulted in the addition of
            41 new collection locations that, together with other locations
            in Alberta, collected more than 33,446 pounds (15,203 kilograms)
            of rechargeable batteries during the campaign period, an increase
            of 31 percent from the previous year.
          - In Vancouver, RBRC recognized its partnership success with London
            Drugs, whose stores serve as RBRC collection locations throughout
            Western Canada

    For more information or to find the nearest participating drop-off
location, call 1-877-2-RECYCLE or go online at www.call2recycle.org.

    About RBRC

    The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) is a nonprofit,
public service organization dedicated to rechargeable battery and cell phone
recycling.  There are over 50,000 retail, business, and community collection
locations that participate in RBRC's rechargeable battery recycling program
throughout Canada and the United States.  RBRC is funded by more than 350
manufacturers and marketers of portable rechargeable batteries and products.
RBRC's public education campaign and recycling program is the result of the
rechargeable power industry's commitment to conserve natural resources and
prevent cell phones and rechargeable batteries from entering the solid waste
stream. Cell phones collected through the Call2Recycle(TM) program will be
recycled or refurbished and resold when possible with a portion of the
proceeds benefiting select charities. Contributions or gifts to RBRC are not
tax deductible. For more information, call 1-877-2-RECYCLE or visit
www.call2recycle.org.

For further information: Linda Gabor of RBRC, +1-919-596-6136, 
lgabor@rbrc.com; or Ryan Murphy of Stanton Crenshaw for RBRC, 
+1-646-502-3568, rmurphy@stantoncrenshaw.com Web Site:
http://www.call2recycle.org