Rechargeable Battery and Cell Phone Recycling
Info for Agencies

All City agencies and institutions are required to recycle rechargeable batteries and cell phones. DSNY will not accept these items in the trash.

The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) is an organization set up by rechargeable battery manufacturers to facilitate the recycling of these products. RBRC runs a free rechargeable battery recycling program that can be utilized to recycle rechargeable batteries and cell phones.

how to set up your agency to recycle rechargeable batteries and cell phones
what must be accepted
why rechargeable batteries
why cell phones

ALSO SEE

• take it back nyc! for more information about manufacturer take-back programs of rechargeable batteries
• laws and directives for more information about the NYC rechargeable battery law and the NYS Wireless Act for cell phone recycling
• product stewardship in resources for business for other business waste prevention initiatives
• batteries in more resources for information about disposal of other batteries
• reducing workplace toxics for less toxic battery subsitutions
  electronics recycling for information on what Agencies can do with used electronics
• new homes for old stuff to donate or sell used cell phones
• New York City's rechargeable battery law: info for consumers  
• New York City's rechargeable battery law: retailer requirements for information about retailer compliance

How to Set Up Your Agency to Recycle Rechargeable Batteries and Cell Phones

Sign up online for the free RBRC recycling program at www.call2recycle.org/nycpa.
Fill out the online form. You will receive your free collection containers by mail.
Educate the employees within your agency about the program.
1. Collect rechargeable batteries in the boxes you receive from RBRC.
2. When the rechargeable battery collection box becomes too heavy to lift (about 40 pounds), mail it back to RBRC using the prepaid shipping label on the box. When RBRC receives your full box, they will automatically send you a replacement. 
3. If you have large quantities of rechargeable batteries to discard and want to set up a bulk shipping system, contact RBRC at the toll-free telephone number, 877-723-1297, and request bulk shipping info. Callers can leave a message, or speak with a representative, during regular office hours (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm).
4. To order more collection boxes, use the RBRC order form.

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• Nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, or small lead rechargeable batteries.
• Cell phones, direct connect phones (such as Nextel devices), and smartphones (such as blackberry devices).

Large Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) batteries, automotive batteries, and non-rechargeable (alkaline) batteries are not covered under this program. Visit UPS batteries in resources for more information.

Examples of products containing rechargeable batteries include: cellular and cordless phones, blackberries, PDAs, two-way radios, digital cameras, laptop computers, cordless power tools, and battery chargers.

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Why Rechargeable Batteries?

Compared to single-use batteries, rechargeable batteries reduce waste; however they contain cadmium, lead, and other heavy metals which can be dangerous if not disposed of properly.

Prior to this law passing, over 300 retailers in NYC already accepted rechargeable batteries for recycling through the RBRC program. Various wireless providers have also been accepting cell phones and accessories, including their rechargeable batteries, for recycling or donation to charity.

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Why Cell Phones?

While safe to use, cell phones contain heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can pose a problem to the environment if not properly recycled. RBRC accepts cell phones as part of their free rechargeable battery recycling program because cell phones contain rechargeable batteries, can be easily mailed with other batteries, and there's a market to reuse or recycle them.

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