Call2Recycle surpasses 50 million kilograms of batteries recycled in Canada, EV growth fuels continued momentum

Canada has made a commitment to to reduce waste, tackle climate change, and build a circular economy. To that end, Call2Recycle Canada, one of Canada's leading battery collection and recycling organizations, has reached the important milestone of 50 million kilograms of used batteries collected and recycled through its program since 1997. Almost 50 percent of this 50-million kilogram total has occurred within just the past four years, a number sure to rise as electric vehicles (EVs) and micro-mobility devices like e-scooters become the norm.

With a federal goal of producing net-zero emissions by 2050, the safe and responsible management of batteries will become increasingly essential, according to Call2Recycle. Over 27 years, Call2Recycle has implemented new provincial battery recycling plans and has partnered with governments and industries across diverse sectors. With its recent expansion into Nova Scotia and upcoming program launches in Alberta and Yukon in 2025, Call2Recycle continues building a robust battery recycling infrastructure for Canada. Its public-facing "Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!" program has more than 12,000 dedicated collection locations, providing 91 percent of Canadians access to battery recycling within 15 kilometres of their homes for both household and e-mobility batteries.

In a release from the organization, Joe Zenobio, president of Call2Recycle Canada, said, "It's incredible to witness the positive impact Canadians have made since Call2Recycle's inception. We are incredibly grateful to all Canadians and our government partners, members, and collectors, especially those who laid the foundation of our program over two decades ago, for their support and commitment to our mission and environmental stewardship."

An increasing number of provinces are rolling out Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) recycling regulations, a result of the surge of battery-powered micro-mobility devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters, and the billions invested in the surging electric vehicle market nationwide. This milestone serves as a springboard for continued battery collections, innovation, and partnerships, powering Canada towards its sustainable targets.