Did you know that putting batteries in your recycling can pose serious safety risks to workers and facilities, as well as harm the environment?
In 2024, the recycling industry experienced a record number of fire incidents, with lithium-ion batteries being a significant contributor.
These incidents endanger people, disrupt operations and impact our environment.
Do not put any kind of battery in your recycling. Instead, recycle them safely through the Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! program.
They have nearly 15,000 convenient drop-off locations across Canada. Use their locator tool to find one near you.
The chemicals and metals in batteries can leak out and contaminate your recyclables. A single discarded battery can make an entire batch of materials unable to be recycled.
Many batteries contain reactive materials like lithium, nickel, lead, mercury, and cadmium. When batteries are crushed, punctured, or exposed to heat during the recycling process, they can immediately spark fires.
Recycling workers ensure operations runs smoothly. If a battery is mixed in with recycling and causes a fire or explosion, workers’ safety is put at risk.
Designated battery recycling programs ensure proper handling, processing, and recovery of these materials.
Programs such as Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! offer convenient options for residents to drop off their batteries for proper recycling.
Since inception, the program has safely recycled over 50 million kilograms of batteries, recovering the valuable materials that can be used to create new batteries and other products.
No, any battery is dangerous if put in your recycling. Please find a designated drop-off location near you using the Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! locator tool.
No, any battery can be dangerous if put in your recycling. Please find a designated drop-off location near you using the Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! locator tool.
For electronics with non-removable batteries, look for e-waste recycling programs. Many retailers and municipalities accept electronics for safe disposal and ensure the batteries within them are handled properly.
Yes. Seemingly ‘dead’ batteries can still retain a charge and can be dangerous if put in your recycling. Please find a designated drop-off location near you using the Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! locator tool.
Visit Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! to find a battery drop-off location near you.
