Bucking Trends

Chris Carlson ([email protected])

Despite a stumbling economy, some members of the recycling industry reported significant growth in 2008.

Atlanta-based Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp. (RBRC) announced an approximately 10 percent increase in rechargeable battery collections for last year through its Call2Recycle program. The program recycled approximately 6.9 million pounds of batteries.

“Many factors contributed to this year's success, including new partnerships and the expansion of our collection program to include a new battery chemistry,” said Carl Smith, CEO of RBRC, in a press release. “But more than anything, continuous support and ongoing involvement from our retail, consumer and community partners has helped us grow our collection efforts year over year.”

RBRC expanded its collection program for the first time in seven years to include nickel-zinc batteries and partnered with Earth911.com to leverage the Web site's readership to increase awareness of rechargeable battery recycling.

Curbside Value Partnership (CVP), Arlington, Va., also reported significant growth in 2008, adding six communities to its network of partners. To date, the partnership's 42 community partners have seen an average increase of 23 percent in recycling volume and 18 percent in participation after joining.

“[Last year] was a momentous year for CVP,” said Steve Thompson, program director of CVP, in a press release. “Not only did we form new partnerships that resulted in real successes and continued to add to our list of materials and tools we provide to communities, but the real icing on the cake was forming an alliance with Keep America Beautiful (KAB) to take CVP to the next level.”

KAB currently operates 587 affiliates throughout the country.