Call2Recycle has announced that it recycled more than 5.8 kilograms of used batteries through 2023, diverting them from landfills in Canada. This is the best year yet for the battery collection and recycling program, and marks a milestone: Call2Recycle has now surpassed 45 million kilograms of batteries since its inception in 1997.
In provinces where battery recycling is mandated, including British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island, Canadians played a pivotal role in driving a strong 32% year-over-year increase. British Columbia achieved 11% year-over-year growth with over 954,000 kgs collected. Saskatchewan, in its third year of program operation, increased its results by 18% with over 121,000 kgs collected and recycled. Manitoba recorded almost 206,000 kgs collected, a 34% year-on-year increase, which contributed to over one-million kilograms of used batteries diverted since the provincial program launched in 2011.
Ontario, in its third year of program operation, achieved double-digit collection growth with an almost 58% overall increase year-over-year. Quebec exceeded provincial collection targets again with over 1.8 million kgs collected and recycled, a 29% year-over-year increase. Prince Edward Island collected and recycled over 45,000 kgs, a 7% increase across the province.
“We are thrilled to see such strong engagement from Canadians in their battery recycling efforts,” says Joe Zenobio, President, Call2Recycle Canada. “As we celebrate our most successful year yet, we recognize that this volume of batteries recycled – and the difference it makes for our environment – cannot happen without the commitment of our members, industry stakeholders, collection partners, consumers, and team, whose collective efforts have made this achievement possible. We look forward to continuing to work with all our partners to safely and responsibly collect and recycle even more batteries across Canada, including in new segments such as electric vehicles and electric personal transport, in 2024 and beyond.”
With 92% of Canadians living within 15 kilometres of a Call2Recycle drop-off location, participating in the nationwide battery recycling program is convenient. You can collect, protect, and drop off batteries at over 12,000 locations, including retail stores, municipalities, businesses, schools/universities, and government buildings.
Call2Recyle recently announced its first smart battery recycling container, which is being rolled out across Canada.