The South Bayside Waste Management Authority (RethinkWaste) today announced a new partnership to promote the recycling of household batteries, cell phones and other universal waste related items such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). RethinkWaste has joined with IKEA, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and State Assemblymember Ira Ruskin to promote retail take back options for these materials. A press event will be held from 10:30 am to 11:30 am on December 11, 2007 at the IKEA store in East Palo Alto. RethinkWaste will also share details on its recently launched curbside recycling collection program for household batteries and cell phones.
"This is a true public private partnership to promote waste reduction and recycling options for certain hazardous materials that are proliferating in the marketplace as consumer electronics and household lighting product sales skyrocket during the holiday season," remarked Kevin McCarthy, Executive Director of the RethinkWaste. "We want consumers to know that they have convenient options to recycle all the household batteries generated during the holidays and have a green Holiday Season."
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) estimates that Americans purchase more than 3 billion batteries annually to power toys, radios, cellular phones, watches, laptop computers, portable power tools, and other home electronics. In California that translates to 288 million batteries purchased each year. Laid end-toend, these batteries would stretch over 9,000 miles or roughly the distance travelled from San Mateo to the North Pole: three times; enough trips to make even Santa tired!
"At IKEA, we believe doing good business means demonstrating environmental responsibility on a global and local level. Here at IKEA East Palo Alto, we offer our customers the opportunity for free in-store recycling of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL's), said Jill Matherson, store manager. "The new recycling program from South Bayside Waste Management Authority adds excitement to our existing community recycling efforts and we are glad to be partnering with them to promote local environmental responsibility."
"IKEA and the South Bayside Waste Management Authority are helping their customers do the right thing and be green by taking back cell phones and batteries for recycling instead of throwing them in the trash," remarked Leonard Robinson, Chief Deputy Director of the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). "The laws and regulations set rules to protect our environment from the hazardous materials, mostly toxic metals, contained in cell phones and batteries that are no longer of use. This program provides consumers with free and convenient means to recycle every battery and cell phone to protect the environment!"
The Department of Toxic Substances Control will discuss its "Take-It-Back Partnership" at the event. The California Take-It-Back Partnership is a collaboration of State government; city and county government; businesses; non-profit agencies and non-governmental organizations to provide free, local and convenient ways for California residents to recycle everyday household wastes such as batteries, fluorescent lamps and electronic devices that can no longer be disposed in the trash. This partnership provides a way for California residents to assist the California Environmental Protection Agency in its mission to protect public health and the environment.
"California needs programs like these to remove harmful toxics from the waste stream. I commend DTSC, RethinkWaste, and IKEA for their leadership and commitment to protecting our environment. This curbside program is an important step toward allowing citizens to easily comply with the Universal Waste Law," said Assemblymember Ira Ruskin, D-Redwood City. Mr. Ruskin will continue working on legislation to ensure the safe disposal of waste thermostats containing mercury, a highly toxic substance. The legislation will require manufacturers of mercury thermostats, in partnership with retailers and wholesalers, to participate in a take-back program that is safe and convenient for consumers.
On October 1, 2007 the RethinkWaste launched a new curbside recycling program for household batteries and cell phones. Residents in single-family homes of RethinkWaste member agencies (i.e., the cities of Atherton, Belmont, Burlingame, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, Redwood City, San Carlos and San Mateo along with unincorporated portions of San Mateo County and the West Bay Sanitary District) can set out household batteries (rechargeable and disposable alkaline types, but no automotive batteries) in a clear plastic bag on top of their mixed paper recycling bin on recycling collection day. Cell phones should be wrapped in paper and placed inside the same clear plastic bag that contains the batteries. Button cells should be taped.
This new curbside recycling program is being funded by the RethinkWaste. A highly successful pilot program commenced in the City of San Carlos in March 2007 and this new service has been expanded to all member agencies throughout central and southern San Mateo County. Since the program’s inception, approximately 17,200 pounds of batteries and cell phones have been collected.
