Call2Recycle Canada releases 2022 annual report

Call2Recycle Canada Inc., a Toronto-based nonprofit focused on battery collection and recycling, has released its 2022 annual report, which it says highlights a transformative past year for Canada’s battery recycling sector.

The organization says it continued to expand its infrastructure across Canada to increase capacity and deliver more efficient battery collection and recycling on behalf of its more than 400 members, while also increasing access to battery recycling services and reaching a wider audience of Canadians of all ages to educate them about the safety and environmental benefits of battery recycling. As a result, the organization says it diverted and recycled 4.4 million kilograms (9.7 million pounds) of used batteries from Canadian landfills in 2022.

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Call2Recycle says the country’s battery manufacturing sector saw significant growth last year, driven by investments in critical mineral mining and processes, battery component manufacturing, electric vehicle (EV) production and the first EV battery gigafactory.

Additionally, the organization adds the consumer battery market experienced significant shifts, with growing demand for battery recycling linked to the increased use of portable devices as well as battery-powered e-mobility vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters.

In response to the changing market conditions, Call2Recycle says it intensified the expansion of its collection and recycling network and bolstered its operations to increase battery recycling capacity for decades to come.

“We’re very proud of the progress that we brought to the battery recycling sector in 2022, thanks to the commitment of our members, our partners and Canadian consumers,” Call2Recycle Canada President Joe Zenobio says. “As the leading national battery recycling program, we are excited to embrace the next wave of changes and we remain committed to supporting Canada’s circular economy and net-zero targets, by diverting as many batteries as possible from landfills.”

According to Call2Recycle’s report:

• Ninety-two percent of Canadians have access to a convenient drop-off spot within 15 kilometers, or roughly 10 miles, of their homes.
  
• British Columbia had its highest collection year on record, with more than 856,000 kilograms (1.89 million pounds) of batteries collected.
• Manitoba topped its 2021 total and finished with its strongest collection result in history with more than 153,000 kilograms (337,300 pounds) of batteries.
• Quebec was the biggest performer and exceeded targets with more than 1.4 million kilograms (nearly 3.1 million pounds) of batteries collected.

Call2Recycle recently announced that it has passed the milestone of 40 million kilograms (88 million pounds) of used batteries recycled in Canada since the program’s inception in 1997. The organization says it stands ready to play an integral role in Canada’s growing battery ecosystem in the years ahead on behalf of its members and in collaboration with the provinces, its municipal and retail partners and consumers.