Add Batteries to Your Recycling List!

Add batteries to your recycling list!

Don’t throw out your batteries—recycle them! Improper battery disposal can hurt our environment and put your family at risk too.

WHY RECYCLE YOUR BATTERIES?

1. To keep people and property safe: When batteries are improperly stored at home or thrown into the garbage, they can cause a spark that could lead to a fire in your home or in your community.Many batteries hold a residual charge.  When a battery terminal (the end of the battery) meets another object such as other metals or another battery, it can cause a thermal event, like a spark or smoke.  Sparking can cause physical injury, property damage, and fire and explosions.As the power of batteries increases and their size shrinks, the chances for severe incidents goes up.

2. To protect our environment: When used batteries end up in landfill, potentially toxic materials can harm wildlife and the environment. 

3. To support sustainability: Recycling also creates a more sustainable future as materials are reclaimed and used to make new products.  

HOW?

Battery Recycling is Easy!

Gather up your used household batteries* in your home, drawers, garage and in old electronics such as toys, remote controls, power tools, and more.

1. Bag

Put each battery in a clear, sealable bag.  

Transportation Canada safety regulations require that the terminals of certain battery types be protected to prevent contact with each other, as this can cause sparks and lead to a fire. Therefore, before depositing any rechargeable batteries, lithium-based single-use batteries, single-use batteries that are 12V or more, or batteries you are unsure of, make sure they are placed in a clear, sealed bag or taped with duct tape, electrical tape or another non-conductive tape. Ensure to keep the battery chemistry visible if you tape it.

To learn more about the different battery types, go to our battery guide page here.https://www.call2recycle.ca/batteries/

2. Seal

Seal the bag for safe battery management and transportation.

3. Drop

Drop them in a Call2Recycle collection box (plastic bags are also available at each box).

For more information on safe battery recycling, watch our safety video here: https://www.call2recycle.ca/safety-video/

WHERE?

Call2Recycle battery collection boxes are located at many leading home improvement, office supply, electronics and drugstore retailers and at municipal depots. Visit www.call2recycle.ca/locator to find your nearest location.

THEN WHAT?

1 — Collection: Retail stores, small and large businesses, cities, towns and government agencies collect batteries (up to 5 kg) at their locations. Collected items are then shipped to Call2Recycle’s responsible recycling partners.

2 — Sorting: Contracted sorters receive the batteries at their warehouses, record details about the weight and battery types of the shipment, then separate the batteries by chemistry.  Depending on battery type and chemistry, batteries either remain at the sorter for processing or are sent to the appropriate processor.

3 — Process and Recovery: The batteries are now ready to be processed. The processors extract useable chemicals and metals to be used in the manufacture of new products. Waste products are responsibly and safely disposed of according to industry and regulatory standards. 

About Call2Recycle:

Call2Recycle is your provincially-regulated, not-for-profit battery recycling program dedicated to the safe collection and recycling of used batteries.

*The Call2Recycle accepts single-use batteries like AA, AAA, 9V, D, C and others, as well as rechargeable batteries often found in portable devices like cellphones, laptop computers, and old power tools. Please no car batteries or batteries weighing over 5k.