Vancouver, BC, May 30, 2024 – Call2Recycle, Canada’s leading battery collection and recycling organization, is excited to announce a new partnership 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 on June 3.
Squamish residents can conveniently recycle their household batteries (both single-use and rechargeable, up to 5 kg each) through Call2Recycle’s “Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!” curbside collection events, to be held during the weeks of June 3 and November 4. To participate, residents can simply gather their old household batteries, place them in clear, sealable plastic bags, and then 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 simply to identify that the house has batteries to recycle.
The used batteries will be safely picked up and sorted by GFL Environmental Services, the District’s contracted waste collection service provider and an approved sorting partner of Call2Recycle. Batteries will then be shipped to qualified processors for recycling. Recycling used batteries not only keeps them out of landfills but also enables the recovery of valuable materials for re-use in the manufacturing of new products, contributing to a strong circular economy.
“This collaboration marks a significant advancement in battery recycling for British Columbia,” said Kristen Romilly, Regional Director Western Canada, Call2Recycle. “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.”
“Squamish is proud to be leading the way by launching the first curbside battery collection program in British Columbia,” said Armand Hurford, Mayor of Squamish. “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).”
The partnership between Call2Recycle, the District of Squamish, and GFL Environmental extends beyond curbside collection to include collaborative public education efforts. 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 program will be promoted through participation in community events and media engagement, raising awareness about the importance of safe and responsible battery recycling.
Call2Recycle has a long-standing presence in British Columbia, operating a provincially-approved battery stewardship program. Through its extensive network of over 1,700 collection sites, 96% of residents have access to a convenient drop-off location within 15 kilometres of their homes. In 2023 alone, Call2Recycle recycled over 950,000 kilograms of batteries in the province, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to expanding responsible battery recycling options and increasing community awareness and engagement.
For more information about the curbside battery collection events, visit the District of Squamish’s Battery Recycling page. To ‘Collect, Protect, and Drop-Off’ batteries year-round at other locations across British Columbia, visit recycleyourbatteries.ca.
About the District of Squamish
Inspired by nature and hardwired for adventure, the District of Squamish is the local municipal government authority servicing a growing community with a population of 24,232, inclusive of members of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) upon whose traditional unceded territory we live, work and play. Nestled between ocean and mountains, and one hour north of Vancouver, the small-town setting, lush natural environment, and unmatched outdoor recreation make for a one-of-a-kind lifestyle and location for business investment. Squamish is home to a vibrant and diverse arts and culture scene, a post-secondary education institution, a thriving green economy from craft food and beverage to sustainable tourism, and oceanfront development projects on the horizon. At the heart of it all is an entrepreneurial, passionate and welcoming community who collectively strives to honour and protect the environment that defines the essence of the Squamish lifestyle.
About Call2Recycle Canada, Inc.
Call2Recycle® is Canada’s leading organization for battery collection and recycling, fulfilling product stewardship obligations on behalf of over 400 members, including producers of single-use and rechargeable batteries. Call2Recycle powers Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!, its household and e-bike battery collection and recycling program. The organization operates provincially-approved programs in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia (July 2024). It also functions as a registered Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) in Ontario, adhering to the Ontario Batteries Regulation. It offers collection and recycling services for household batteries (weighing up to 5 kg), as well as e-transport batteries used to power e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards, hoverboards, and Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Since its inception in 1997, Call2Recycle has diverted over 45 million kilograms of batteries from Canadian landfills. It upholds its commitment to operating the highest quality battery recycling program in Canada and holds certification in the most rigorous and globally respected standards, including R2v3, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 9001, as well as exclusively contracting with an ISO 27001 certified supplier for all IT infrastructure management. This reputation for excellence has enabled Call2Recycle to maintain trusted, long-term relationships with stakeholders and establish a network of more than 12,000 participating collection locations across Canada, including at leading retailers and municipal facilities.
Contact:
District of Squamish
Rachel Boguski, Media Relations and Content Specialist
Email: [email protected] | Phone: 604.815.4967
Call2Recycle Canada
Charles-Antoine Dubois, Bilingual Corporate Communications Manager
Email : [email protected] | Mobile: 647-464-7381
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