New Survey Reveals The 'Skinny' on What Americans Stockpile in Their Closets

If the walls in your closet could talk, what secrets would they divulge? The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to rechargeable battery and cell phone recycling, asked Americans to let their skeletons out of the closet in a new survey conducted on Real Simple magazine's promotional web site, Real Simple Rewards. The survey was developed to pinpoint Americans' stockpiling habits and give guidance on how they can simplify their lives by recycling much of the clutter. The survey, which consisted of 573 respondents, shows that roughly 25% (1 in 4) of Americans are still holding on to their "skinny jeans" in hopes of being able to wear them once again. On the other hand, old love letters and pictures of ex-boyfriends and girlfriends are the first to be tossed when cleaning out the closet (only 6% of those surveyed still had those mementos lying around). Aside from old textbooks and yearbooks and the clothes of yesteryear, electronics were the most widely stockpiled item found under the bed and in the closet. In fact, nearly half of those surveyed (45%) said they were hoarding old cell phones in their homes. But when asked if they knew they could recycle their used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones, almost three-quarters (71%) answered in the affirmative. There just seems to be something about old electronics that causes us to keep them in our possession versus recycling them. Could it be the amount of money we spend on the devices? Or is it the fear that we will need a backup device in the event the new model becomes lost, stolen, or damaged? The fact remains that many of these products are kept in storage for many years while they could be recycled instead. Many commonly found household wireless electronic products that use rechargeable batteries include, but are not limited to, cordless and cellular phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, power tools, camcorders, PDAs, hand-held mini-vacuums, cordless mixers and blenders, rechargeable razors and electric toothbrushes. In a survey conducted by NOP World among 1,000 adult Americans in April 2005, consumers surveyed use an average of six wireless products in their day-to-day lives, and over 30% of consumers own and use eight or more wireless products. "People are growing increasingly reliant on rechargeable batteries to power their daily lives," said Ralph Millard, Executive Vice President, RBRC. "As this reliance grows, so does the need to recycle the rechargeable batteries found in these products. Our program, Call2Recycle(TM), is set up to make recycling the rechargeable batteries found in wireless products and cell phones easy and convenient for all consumers wishing to de-clutter their homes and do the right thing for the environment at the same time." Fortunately, when asked what would it take to get them to recycle their used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones, 58% of the survey respondents replied that convenient drop-off locations in their area would make a difference. Consumers interested in locating participating retail stores in their area to drop off used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones can visit http://www.call2recycle.org or call toll free 877-2-RECYCLE. Since its inception in 1996, the nonprofit Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) has collected a total of 26 million pounds (or 13,000 tons) of rechargeable batteries collected in the U.S. and Canada. About RBRC The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) is a nonprofit, public service organization dedicated to rechargeable battery and cell phone recycling. There are over 30,000 retail, business, and community collection locations that participate in RBRC's rechargeable battery and cell phone recycling program. RBRC is funded by more than 300 manufacturers and marketers of portable rechargeable batteries and products. RBRC's public education campaign and recycling program is the result of the rechargeable power industry's commitment to conserve natural resources and prevent rechargeable batteries and cell phones from entering the solid waste stream. Cell phones collected through the Call2Recycle program will be recycled or refurbished and resold when possible with a portion of the proceeds benefiting select charities. Contributions or gifts to RBRC are not tax deductible. For more information, call 1-877-2-RECYCLE or visit http://www.call2recycle.org.

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