Simcoe County, Call2Recycle Collect 50,000 kg of Batteries in Successful Curbside ProgramSimcoe County, Call2Recycle Collect 50,000 kg of Batteries in Successful Curbside Program

The County of Simcoe, in partnership with Call2Recycle Canada, has reached a milestone in battery recycling and sustainable waste management.

During Battery Collection Week in early November, residents collected over 50,000 kilograms of batteries—the equivalent weight of 30 cars—making it one of the most successful curbside battery collection events in Canada’s Call2Recycle program history.

"The outstanding battery recycling efforts by the County’s residents demonstrate our community's strong environmental consciousness,” said Basil Clarke, Simcoe County warden, in a statement. “On behalf of the County of Simcoe, I could not be more proud of the residents of Simcoe County. This illustrates our dedication to making communities even more responsible, to create a lasting and meaningful environmental impact."

Throughout 2024, Simcoe County collaborated with Call2Recycle Canada to promote responsible battery recycling among its 350,000+ residents. The initiative included year-round access to five Household Hazardous Waste Depots, where residents can drop off used batteries at their convenience. The educational push during Battery Collection Week, which featured the distribution of recycling bags and curbside pickup services, played a key role in driving participation.

Related:Illinois EPA, Recycle Coach Partner to Bring Recycling Education Website, App to Residents

Since partnering with Call2Recycle in 2020, the County has collected over 225,000 kilograms of batteries. Last year, Simcoe County received the prestigious Leader in Sustainability Award from Call2Recycle in recognition of its efforts.

The success of this year's collection educated communities about how they can effectively prevent batteries from entering landfill and reduce environmental hazards and conserving valuable resources. The County’s innovative approach serves as a model for other municipalities across Ontario seeking to implement similar programs.

Call2Recycle operates in Ontario as the largest registered battery Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), with almost 3,000 convenient Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! drop-off points in the province easily accessible to over 98% of Ontarians, according to the company.

Source: Call2Recycle