Recycle Your Batteries

Collect, Protect and Drop Off your batteries every 3 months

Batteries make our lives more convenient, but they contain toxic chemicals that can harm the environment. That’s why you should never throw them out.  

Call2Recycle makes it easy to recycle your batteries instead. 

Just Collect, Protect and Drop Off your used batteries at one of our 9,000 convenient drop-off locations across Canada. You can find our drop boxes at pharmacies, hardware stores, grocery stores, municipal depots, and other facilities near you.

COLLECT

Don’t throw out that one used battery you just replaced. Put it in a non-metal container such as a shoebox, plastic takeout container, or glass jar. Soon enough, they’ll add up.
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PROTECT

Reduce the risk of sparks. Use non-conductive tape to cover the positive terminal of lithium, small sealed lead acid (SSLA), button cell and alkaline batteries over 12V. Alternatively, place them in individual plastic bags.

Keep your batteries in a cool, dry location, away from the sun.

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DROP OFF

Drop off your collected batteries every 3 months to avoid corrosion. You can find the closest drop-off location here.

Over 9,000 convenient locations

We have over 9,000 convenient drop-off locations across Canada, including leading retailers, municipal buildings, and recycling depots.

Find the one nearest you.


Look for these boxes

While some of our valued partners have established dedicated recycling centres, some feature our specially designed collection box. If you don’t see it, please ask an employee for assistance. It may be stored behind the counter.

What types of household batteries can be recycled?

Call2Recycle collects and recycles both single-use and rechargeable dry-cell batteries (weighing up to 5 kg each).
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Where can I recycle eMobility batteries?

Call2Recycle also collects and recycles the lithium batteries used to power eMobility devices such as eBikes, eScooters, eSkateboards, and hoverboards. Sites equipped to receive eMobility batteries can be found using our Locator tool and selecting “Accepts eMobility” under the search filter.

How are batteries recycled?

Collected batteries are sent to sorters and then, based on their chemical composition, they are processed for recycling. The batteries are broken down into their component parts where their reusable materials can be used as input for the manufacturing of new batteries and other products.
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How to handle damaged batteries

Do you have a battery that is swollen, corroded, leaking or showing burn marks? Or one that has been recalled by the manufacturer? It may require special handling. Damaged lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries are considered especially hazardous and should not be placed in a regular Call2Recycle box for recycling. Follow instructions here for handling these unusual circumstances.

More frequently asked questions

Recycle Your Batteries

Why every 3 months?

Whether your household uses a lot of batteries or just a few, it’s best not to store used batteries in the home too long, where they can become corroded. Dropping your batteries off for recycling every 3 months or less is ideal, as it or keeps it convenient for you, while avoiding oozy messes. Bring your batteries in when the seasons change and they’ll never be forgotten.

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Why should I recycle my used batteries?

All batteries can and should be recycled. If batteries, especially lithium-based, are thrown into the garbage, they can cause a spark that could endanger individuals and surrounding property. Certain types of batteries, such as Nickel Cadmium rechargeable, can contaminate the environment if not properly disposed. Batteries are valuable and recycling them can reduce the need to mine for virgin materials along with transforming reclaimable materials into other useable products. Consumer awareness is key to changing behavior and ensuring more batteries are recycled the right way and don’t end up in landfills.

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Why do I need to tape the terminals of some batteries?

Taping the exposed terminals of batteries (or bagging them) can help prevent them from rubbing against other batteries, metals or potentially flammable materials, which could result in fires, personal injury or other damage. Duct, electrical, or packing tape are all good options in addition to clear ziploc bags. Learn more about how to protect terminals.

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Where can I drop off batteries for recycling?

Use our easy online locator tool to find a site near you.

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Is there a fee to recycle my batteries?

There is no charge to drop off your batteries for recycling at one of our collection sites. Battery recycling is funded through environmental handling fees paid by program members/producers.

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