Call2Recycle Canada and District of Squamish launch curbside battery collection

Toronto-based battery collection and recycling organization Call2Recycle Canada has partnered with the District of Squamish in British Columbia dedicated to promoting environmental responsibility by providing residents with convenient and accessible battery recycling solutions. This includes the launch of a series of battery recycling initiatives in the district, including British Columbia’s first curbside collection event, beginning June 3.

Call2Recycle says Squamish residents can conveniently recycle their household batteries—both single-use and rechargeable, up to 5 kilograms each—through Call2Recycle’s “Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!” curbside collection events, to be held during the weeks of June 3 and Nov. 4.

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To participate, residents can gather their old household batteries, place them in clear, sealable plastic bags and place them on top of their recycling tote on their regular garbage collection day during the designated weeks. Recycling totes will not be serviced on those dates and will act to identify that the home has batteries to recycle.

Used batteries will be safely picked up and sorted by GFL Environmental Inc., the district’s contracted waste collection service provider and an approved sorting partner of Call2Recycle. Batteries then will be shipped to qualified processors for recycling.

“This collaboration marks a significant advancement in battery recycling for British Columbia,” says Kristen Romilly, Call2Recycle’s regional director for Western Canada. “We greatly appreciate the district’s environmental leadership and GFL’s commitment, as this successful collaboration and expanded convenient recycling option can be used as a model to assist other municipalities across Canada in reducing battery waste and advancing the circular economy.”

The partnership between Call2Recycle, Squamish and GFL extends beyond curbside collection to include collaborative public education efforts. Call2Recycle says residents can expect to see information about the “Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!” program through various channels, including recreation guides and bus stop advertisements. Additionally, the organization says the program will be promoted through participation in community events and media engagement, raising awareness about the importance of safe and responsible battery recycling.

Call2Recycle says it has a longstanding presence in British Columbia, operating a provincially approved battery stewardship program. Through its network of over 1,700 collection sites, 96 percent of residents have access to a drop-off location within 15 kilometers of their homes. In 2023 alone, Call2Recycle has recycled over 950,000 kilograms of batteries in the province.

“Squamish is proud to be leading the way by launching the first curbside battery collection program in British Columbia,” Mayor Armand Hurford says. “This initiative ensures responsible battery disposal, protects our environment and reduces waste-related emissions. By working with Call2Recycle and GFL, we’re not just simplifying battery recycling for our residents, we’re advancing our commitment to waste reduction, a key component of our Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP).”