Office Depot to offer free recycling of cell phones, batteries

Dec. 22 -- Office Depot Inc. has started recycling wireless phones and rechargeable batteries free of charge at all of its North American locations.

The Delray Beach, Fla.-based office supply company has partnered with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp. to provide the service to consumers. Office Depot will collect the phones and batteries at its 960 U.S. and Canadian stores.

"The holiday season is the perfect time to introduce our free, in-store cell phone and rechargeable battery recycling program ,as many consumers are looking to upgrade to the latest technologies," said Tyler Elm, director of environmental affairs for Office Depot.

Americans will be using about 200 million wireless phones by 2005 and retiring about 130 million per year, according to Inform Inc., an independent research organization that examines the effects of business practices on the environment and human health.

Inform Inc. estimates that 500 million used phones are stockpiled and awaiting disposal.

"With such a high level of product turnover, we think our customers will appreciate Office Depot´s convenient, long-term solution for recycling old cell phones and rechargeable batteries," Elm said.

The company will accept rechargeable batteries used in various portable electronic devices. The type of batteries includes nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion and small sealed lead rechargeable batteries weighing less than 2 pounds.