Call2Recycle Canada partnership centers on battery sorting technology

Toronto-based battery collection and recycling program Call2Recycle Canada has partnered with electronics recycler Electronic Distributors International Inc. (EDI) to unveil a new battery sorting technology that could multiply Ontario’s capacity to sort and recycle end-of-life batteries.

Call2Recycle and EDI say the investment supports their strategy to invest in competitive battery recycling infrastructure to increase efficiency, enhance safety and help meet the province’s waste diversion goals.

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EDI says the new battery sorting equipment at its Orillia, Ontario, facility is one of four of its type in the world, adding that it is the only North American service provider using this technology. It says this equipment will effectively double the plant’s capacity to sort used batteries, supporting the growing volumes of batteries recycled by Call2Recycle in Ontario, where the organization serves as the largest battery producer responsibility organization (PRO).

EDI’s new sorting system leverages advanced X-ray technology that identifies and sorts each battery type, even when the battery chemistry or label is unidentifiable. The company says this not only streamlines the entire sorting process but significantly reduces the risk of safety incidents due to sorting errors and improper chemistry identification. With this technology, EDI’s facility now can process up to 500 kilograms of used batteries per hour, doubling the output of a traditional sorting line.

“We are proud to work with forward-thinking organizations like EDI who drive innovation and positive change in the recycling industry,” Call2Recycle Canada President Joe Zenobio says. “Innovations like this not only bolster our efforts to increase Ontario’s battery recycling infrastructure but also help enhance its efficiency by supporting the collection of larger volumes of batteries, minimizing the environmental impact and supporting the local economy.”

“At EDI, we are continuously striving to not only modernize the recycling industry but to invest in solutions that align seamlessly with our partners’ evolving sustainability needs," adds Norm Yorke, managing partner at EDI. "We are excited to be working with Call2Recycle to pioneer technology-driven battery sorting in North America, where innovative solutions drive responsible recycling.”

Since its inception in 1997, Call2Recycle has collected and recycled over 45 million kilograms of batteries, preventing them from ending up in Canadian landfills.