Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation Call2Recycle Program: Responsible Battery Management for Missouri Corporations, Public Agencies and Municipalities
Industry Funded, NFP, Public Service Organization Product Stewardship Program of Battery Manufacturers RBRC Mission: 1:To promote recycling of used rechargeable batteries through public education 2: Operate national collection program for battery recovery and recycling Environmental Stewardship: We ve been walking the walk since 1996: Collect and recycle rechargeable batteries/cell phones in contiguous United States and Canada Partner with national retailers to collect rechargeable batteries and cell phones from the public: Home Depot, Lowes, RadioShack, Best Buy, Target, Staples, Sears, etc.
Why are batteries significant to the solid waste stream? #1 consumer issue related to recycling, according to Earth 911 (www.earth911.org) Explosion of cordless devices: cell phones, ipods, MP3 players Transition to cordless for computers (notebook) and power tools (bundled drills, circular saws, etc. operating on same power pack) Rechargeable batteries contain recyclable metals; some of which are toxic (cadmium, lead). 3 billion batteries sold annually- 8x more primary than rechargeable; Battery Act requiring recycling of NiCad, Pb batteries
Total Rechargeable Batteries Recovered 6,940,000 lbs. recycled in 2008 Collection of rechargeable batteries increased by 9.6% Millions of Pounds
RBRC uses state of the art, fully permitted metals smelter- Inmetco (subsidiary of International Nickel Company) RBRC pays Inmetco to log in each shipment via RBRC site ID and record battery weights/chemistry All battery components are recycled: nickel, iron, stainless steel, cadmium, lead, copper and other metals. 50% energy savings in metals recovery over metal production from virgin ore, plus reductions in CO2, NOx and SO2 Batteries are transported from generator to recycler directly via UPS as universal waste classification
How Batteries are Processed and Recycled Inmetco Ellwood City, PA Container contents Sorted Reclaimed Metals & Phones Sold Ni-Cd & Ni-MH Inmetco Ellwood City, PA Phones ReCellular Dexter, MI Li-Ion Xstrata Sudbury Ontario Pb Nova Pb Ville Ste-Catherine Quebec
Sorting Process at Inmetco
Waste-less Recycling Process Compliant with all applicable regulations of the U.S. EPA and U.S. OSHA 100% recycling of all batteries, all battery components. Natural resources are recycled. Reclaimed nickel and iron turned into stainless steel. Cadmium used to make new Ni-Cd batteries. The battery electrolyte used in the facility's wastewater treatment plant. Remaining non-hazardous byproducts (calcium, alumina, silica, magnesia) creates slag, used as road base and construction aggregate.
RBRC Program is in compliance with all local, state and federal environmental regulations RBRC s program is designed, approved and funded by the manufacturers of rechargeable batteries RBRC s program is model program referenced by USEPA and State of California battery law RBRC has $5,000,000 environmental impairment/pollution liability insurance coverage, and $2,000,000 policy for transport coverage RBRC s processor, Inmetco, has substantial additional environmental insurance coverage for battery processing/recycling. Certificate of Recycling can be provided RBRC program has safely recycled over 49 million lbs. of batteries since our inception Certificates of acceptance/recycling can be provided Environmental Audit of program/processor is welcomed
RBRC pre-paid collection boxes for rechargeable batteries and cell phones
Enroll and receive an RBRC site identification number Pre-Paid, pre-addressed boxes (1, 2, 4,or 8 can be ordered) Instructions/signage with each box Enroll as many locations as generate batteries Mixing battery chemistries is OK Bag each battery with bags provided or tape terminal end of each battery Seal up full box; hand to UPS driver when making a delivery Begin using backup box UPS pick up at your location for free Automatic box replenishment system Convenient, non-obtrusive program Data available on all shipments
Generator can ship in DOT approved drums or boxes (provided by generator) Requires separation of batteries by chemistry Labeling instructions must be carefully followed (instructions on our website) RBRC will reimburse freight cost to ship via common carrier ( copy of BOL and invoice) Recommended for generators with >700 lbs. of rechargeable batteries at one location
What about Recycling Old Cell Phones? RBRC added old cell phones to our program in 2004 in order to help recover cell phone batteries Cell phones are separately recycled from batteries, but can go in the same box RBRC receives some revenue from separate management and recycling of cell phones As a NFP, RBRC donates cell phones proceeds to Boys and Girls Clubs of America
Ameren UE EPC City of St. Louis City of Rolla Recycling Drop Off Center St. Louis County Solid Waste Missouri State Recycling Program Kansas City HHW Center Kansas City Chiefs/Arrowhead Stadium St. Louis Lambert Airport Silver Dollar City Wal-Mart Distribution Center(s)
What s Next? Add Rechargeable Batteries to your community recycling program Advocate other public agencies enroll and recycle their operationally generated rechargeable batteries (police, fire, EMS, Public Works/Streets) Advocate other entities in your community recycle batteries: hospitals, schools, airports, convention centers, utilities Data can be provided on all public agencies that ship boxes for battery/cell phone recycling
Emerging Trends Growth in Rechargeable Batteries as technology improves power output and cycle time versus weight, cost and battery size Lithium Ion is replacing NiCad rapidly (power tools) and vehicles (Ni-MH) Growth in new battery technology imminent for: consumer and commercial vehicles, power generation, solar energy storage TARP $$$ 25 B for new battery design/applications Greater recyclability, less toxic, less expensive metals Collection of All Batteries from the public(primary/alkaline)as well as rechargeable. One stop recycling of electronics: all batteries, CFLs, as well as all small electronics, computers and televisions
Enrollment is EASY!!!»www.call2recycle.org»877-223-1297 x250 Tim Warren, Central Regional Account Manager twarren@rbrc.com (636) 405-0444 Questions???????
Actual picture of where rechargeable batteries go once they are recycled