Call2Recycle Canada launches battery recycling container

Battery collection and recycling program Call2Recycle Canada plans to launch a smart battery recycling container under its new consumer brand, “Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!” The Toronto-based organization will deploy more than 1,400 units at its drop-off collection points throughout Canada starting in the first half of this month, with more to be added throughout 2024.

Call2Recycle developed the new containers in consultation with leading global recycling organizations. The new devices merge innovation and sustainability, the organization says, to minimize risk and significantly enhance program safety, operational efficiency and collection site convenience.

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Additionally, the new “Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!” logo and graphics are employed on the devices to improve public education and battery recycling awareness, which the organization says will ultimately lead to an increase in critical metals recovered from batteries and contribute to Canada’s circular economy.

“At Call2Recycle, we believe in making battery disposal more responsible, safe and convenient for Canadians nationwide,” says Jon McQuaid, vice president of marketing, communications and innovation for Call2Recycle Canada. “Our new consumer brand, ‘Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!’, coupled with the launch of our innovative smart containers, reinforces this commitment. We are excited to welcome Canadians to the new face of battery recycling, where responsibility meets innovation.”

Call2Recycle says the smart containers surpass the capabilities of traditional battery recycling containers, marking a significant advancement in safety and environmental impact throughout the battery collection process. By integrating advanced technology to create an intelligent system, the containers elevate battery safety through remote monitoring capabilities. This feature alerts collection sites to any increases in temperature, mitigating the risk of a thermal event.

Sensors in the containers remotely monitor the fill level and notify program managers when a pick-up is required. Designed with a focus on reusability, the containers reduce the need for manufacturing, shipping, recycling and disposing of individual boxes and materials, Call2Recycle says, significantly reducing waste and the program’s overall environmental footprint.

The containers stand just over 2 feet high, with a volumetric capacity of 52 liters, allowing each container to collect up to 150 kilograms (around 330 pounds) of consumer batteries before letting the organization’s monitoring system knows they are ready to be emptied.

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With the containers strategically placed in public locations throughout Canada starting this month, the organization aims to provide greater accessibility for individuals to collect, protect and drop off their household batteries responsibly and safely. With the prominent inclusion of the “Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!” brand, its design and a distinctive QR code, Canadians will gain access to safety and program information.

While more than 1,400 containers are planned for deployment in the first half of this year, more will be added in subsequent months and years across the 10,000-plus Call2Recycle collection sites in order to build a safe and robust battery recycling supply chain. Consumers can find the containers in select retail stores, pharmacies, city halls, libraries and many more locations in all provinces.

More information can be found here.