1. The recycling solution for manufacturers and marketers
IF IT’S RECHARGEABLE, IT’S RECYCLABLE
IF IT’S RECHARGEABLE, IT’S RECYCLABLE
The recycling solution for
manufacturers and marketers
of rechargeable batteries and
products containing them.
The recycling solution for
manufacturers and marketers
of rechargeable batteries and
products containing them.
Ralph A. Millard
Executive Vice President, RBRC
BATTERY
BATTERY

2. Who is RBRC?
The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) is a non-profit, public service organization that…
Operates rechargeable battery collection and recycling programs throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Provides easy collection, transportation, and recycling solutions for manufacturers, marketers and collectors of rechargeable batteries.
Educates users about the benefits of recycling rechargeable batteries through effective marketing and PR programs.
Environmentally friendly – meets state and federal battery recycling mandates.

3. We provide and encourage:
Who is RBRC?
We provide and encourage:
Participation by manufacturers and distributors throughout North America.
No-cost, retail and community collection plans to collect and ship spent rechargeable batteries.
A business and public agency (BPA) plan that encourages BPAs to sort and ship rechargeable batteries – RBRC pays the cost of processing and recycling.

4. If it’s Rechargeable, It’s Recyclable!
RBRC Expands Offering
If it’s Rechargeable, It’s Recyclable!
In 2001, RBRC expanded it’s recycling program to include all small rechargeable batteries, including:
• Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
• Lithium Ion (Li-ion)
• Small Sealed Lead* (Pb)
*RBRC will only accept small sealed lead portable rechargeable batteries weighing up to 2lbs/1kg each.

5. How the Program Works

6. How do you benefit as an RBRC Licensee? RBRC provides:
Licensee Benefits
How do you benefit as an RBRC Licensee? RBRC provides:
A convenient, easy-to-implement solution
Visibility and accessibility to consumers with TV, radio and print promotion
A strong pro-environment image
Compliance with state regulations and the 1996 Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Act
Industry-wide participation: licensees - >90% of the rechargeable power industry

7. It’s a Simple Process
Licensees imprint RBRC Battery Recycling Seals onto battery packs.
A toll-free number on the seal lets end users locate the nearest drop-off locations in the U.S. and Canada.

8. We Keep You Informed
RBRC keeps you informed of our program’s goals, events and progress with our Annual Report, quarterly newsletter and by posting our “Measures of Success” on

9. Types of Recycling Plans
To fulfill the RBRC mission efficiently and effectively, RBRC offers four recycling plans:
Retail
Community
Business & Public Agency (BPA)
Consumer

10. Educating Our Audiences

11. RBRC: Right for Retailers
Projects a strong environmental image
Provides an additional service to customers
Increases store traffic
Offers warranty control
Meets state legal requirements

12. Retail Recycling Plan
RBRC promotes recycling at over 35,000 retail stores throughout the United States and Canada.
The program is simple and free to participating retailers
Toll-free help line and web site listing of retail participants
Retail Rechargeable Battery Collection Includes: - Collection containers – boxes and bags with adhesive seal - Pre-addressed, pre-paid freight - No charge to retailers—all absolutely free!

13. Collection Materials
RBRC makes collecting rechargeable batteries easier than ever. The boxes are pre-assembled and include a bag dispenser—so bags are right where you need them.

14. Point-of-Sale Materials
RBRC offers signage to help promote the rechargeable battery recycling program at retail collection sites.
Decals are available in 3 sizes and adhere to any surface.

15. Customized Support

16. National U.S. Retailers

17. National Canadian Retailers

18. RBRC promotes community recycling throughout the U.S. and Canada by:
Community Recycling Plan
RBRC promotes community recycling throughout the U.S. and Canada by:
Assisting local recycling coordinators
Encouraging community participation at no cost
Utilizing existing infrastructure to promote:
- Curbside collection
- Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection
- Recycling Centers – special events collection
Over 500 communities participate in the RBRC community recycling plan

19. Community Support

20. Business and Public Agency Recycling Plans
RBRC promotes recycling in businesses and public agencies throughout North America by:
Assisting businesses and government agencies in the set-up and management of rechargeable battery recycling
Providing streamlined procedures for shipping batteries
Paying for processing and recycling. Businesses and public agencies only pay shipping costs
Over 2,000 businesses and public agencies participate in the RBRC program

21. Program participation increases in targeted channels
Channel Participation
Program participation increases in targeted channels
+ 27%
+ 9%
Number of Participants
+ 56%

22. Business Communications

23. Consumer Promotions
We reached close to 15 million people with ads running in publications such as Better Homes and Gardens, National Geographic, American Airlines’ and Delta’s in-flight magazines.

24. RBRC Reaching Millions
RBRC’s television Public Service Announcement (PSA) features our corporate spokesperson Richard Karn, “Al” from TV’s Home Improvement. This commercial ran on NBC News, MSNBC and CNN Airport Network, reaching over 168 million people.

25. Public Relations
Our integrated PR program supports and helps drive the marketing efforts.
In addition to distributing press releases and contributed articles to newspapers and magazines, we’ve also increased consumer awareness through satellite media tours and special events like Battery Check Day.

26. A valuable resource for all our audiences.
A valuable resource for all our audiences.
An online search engine allows consumers to find the battery drop-off location nearest them.
Businesses, Communities and Retailers can sign up as a recycling program participant. Current partners can order additional communication materials, POS and recycling supplies.
Editors can download current press releases and photos.
Teachers can download a free lesson plan.
We even offer general program information in Spanish and French.

27. Where can I Recycle my Rechargeable Batteries?
RBRC offers two easy ways to find the drop-off location nearest you.
Call BATTERY, our toll-free help line.
Log on to to use the zip and postal code locator for U.S. and Canada.
The on-line locator displays all drop-off locations within a 25 mile radius.
The locator also displays a listing of national retail partners who accept rechargeable batteries for recycling.

29. 27713

31. Signing up is quick and easy for communities.
rbrc.org for Communities
Signing up is quick and easy for communities.
Fill out a short form including a community contact person and shipping information.
Choose how you would like to collect and ship your spent rechargeable batteries.

32. Program Milestones
Since 1995, RBRC has diverted approximately 15 million pounds of Ni-Cd batteries from public landfills.
If it’s rechargeable, it’s recyclable! Collecting all rechargeable battery chemistries as of January 2001.
Signed up more than 35,000 North American retail and community collection sites. That’s more than 1 site for every 10,000 residents!
Public education outreach generated over 250 Million media impressions.
RBRC web site yielded as much as 9,800 hits per month.
Consumer help line averaged 10,300 calls each month.

33. Program Milestones
RBRC earned Recycling at Work Award, CCME Pollution Prevention Award, Keep America Beautiful National Award, and the Silver Inkwell 2000 Award of Merit.
Third annual Battery Check Day kicked off with”Going to Bat for Batteries” in Minneapolis and St. Louis generating over 10 million media impressions.
Canadian program expanded to include collection and recycling for municipalities, businesses and public agencies.
Communities participate at no cost effective September 2001.

34. Total Rechargeable Batteries
RBRC increased collection of all rechargeable batteries by 16% in 2001.
Pounds collected and recycled
Millions of Pounds
MILLIONS OF LBS.

35. Other Rechargeable Batteries Recycled by RBRC
+ 288%
+ 120%
+ 4,641%
Pounds

36. The “All Rechargeables” Program
NICKEL CADMIUM
LITHIUM-ION
NICKEL METAL
HYDRIDE
SMALL SEALED
LEAD*
*RBRC will only accept small sealed lead portable rechargeable batteries weighing up to 2lbs/1Kg each.

37. The “All Rechargeables” Program Geared for Industry
In Europe: Many countries require all batteries/ all rechargeable batteries to be collected and recycled.
In Japan: All rechargeable batteries are required to be collected and recycled.
In US: Ni-Cd and Pb batteries are required to be collected and recycled. Electronic waste proposals, along with potential “all rechargeable batteries” legislation, require industry to be proactive.
In Canada: Pending proposals in Ontario, Quebec and other provinces require industry funding in recycling programs.

38. All Rechargeables
Convenient, cost-effective and environmentally preferred solution to companies currently collecting batteries
Accessible and visible program to consumers
Current and prospective retailers desire expansion
Prevents used batteries from re-entering market

39. All Rechargeables
Proactive program with tie-in to ISO activities
Solution for future battery chemistries
Retains industry “proactive” stance in light of increasingly burdensome battery collection requirements found in Europe, Japan and South America.
Promotes industry solution versus government imposed surcharge or collection scheme

40. All Rechargeables Seal License Fees
Large battery packs: 8.1 volts and greater: $.02 or 2¢ per Ni-MH and Li-ion battery.* Includes notebook computer and power tool batteries.
Small battery packs: 1.5 volts to 8 volts: $.01 or 1¢ per Ni-MH and Li-ion battery.* Includes cellular, cordless, and camcorder batteries.
Retail “round cell battery”: Less than 1.5 volts license fee is $.0025 or 1/4¢ per Ni- MH and Li-ion battery.*
* Seal license fee remains the same for Ni-Cd.

41. All Rechargeables
Pricing plan provides sufficient funds to operate the expanded program.
This is due to lower operating / processing costs attributable to adding additional rechargeable battery types.
Unlike with Ni-Cd batteries, costs are not related solely to weight. Part of processing fees are offset by value of materials recovered. Transportation, sorting and public education costs are not recovered.
Rationale for new pricing: lower costs, ease of communication and simple calculation of license fees.

42. Partners in the past, partners for the future.

43. Need more information?
If you have more questions or would like to become a participant, please contact RBRC directly:
RBRC Parkwood Circle Suite 450 Atlanta, GA USA 30339
Norm England, President CEO or Ralph A. Millard, Executive Vice President
phone