Battery recycling expands in Ontario with Call2Recycle collaboration

Call2Recycle and the City of Hamilton are celebrating a strengthened partnership that continues to advance battery recycling and support the City's waste management goals. Since 2020, this collaboration has resulted in the safe collection and recycling of more than 300,000 kilograms of used household batteries through the Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! program, which includes roughly 60,000 kg in 2024 alone. 

The collaboration is aimed at helping protect the environment by diverting batteries from landfills, reducing hazardous waste, and recovering valuable materials for reuse. In 2025, the partnership will evolve to make battery recycling more visible, accessible, and engaging for Hamilton residents of all ages. By taking a proactive approach to battery recycling, the City of Hamilton is demonstrating its commitment to a safe and responsible community in Ontario.

New joint initiatives launching this year include

• New municipal battery drop-off sites, equipped with Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! next-generation smart battery containers to enhance convenient and safe collection through the City of Hamilton.
• A unique and interactive educational zone in the City's Waste Education Room featuring a themed chalkboard and a three-screen interactive digital game to spark interest in battery recycling — especially for young people and families.
• A toolkit with battery recycling tips and guidance from Call2Recycle experts.
• Distribution of individual battery collection cubes to Hamilton residents to simplify at-home collection, increase convenience, and provide a direct link to Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! Website.

"The City of Hamilton is pleased to be able to offer this program to our residents at so many of our City buildings. The more accessible the program is, there is less chance of batteries being disposed of in garbage and blue boxes which can lead to spontaneous fires in collection trucks and waste disposal facilities," said Angela Storey, director of waste management at the City of Hamilton.

 "Call2Recycle is proud to be a trusted partner to municipalities like Hamilton, supporting local efforts with practical tools, strong education programs, and proven results," said Joseph Chung, vice president of account management at Call2Recycle Canada. "We're especially focused on youth engagement and public education, which we know play a vital role in driving long-term recycling habits."