Drop off your old batteries and keep them out of London's landfill, city says

London city officials are hoping a new partnership with a non-profit recycling operator will entice residents to do more to keep old batteries from winding up in the municipal landfill.

The partnership with Call2Recycle Canada and its battery recycling program will see new drop-off containers installed at six city facilities, including the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, downtown library, and Storybook Gardens.

Drop-off containers have been installed, but the initiative officially launches on Saturday at Storybook Gardens, where families who bring old batteries to the Touch-a-Truck event will be given discounted admission, the city said.

"By simplifying and expanding our recycling services, we're making it easier for Londoners to dispose of batteries properly while providing opportunities to share the importance of recycling with our children," Mayor Josh Morgan said in a statement announcing the partnership.

Residents can drop off various kinds of consumer batteries weighing less than five kilograms, including alkaline, lithium-ion, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, nickel zinc, and small sealed lead acid batteries.

The goal of the partnership is to meet Londoners where they are, and make recycling batteries easier and more convenient, said Jay Stanford, the city's director of climate change, environment and waste management, in a statement.

The six new drop-off locations will feature educational material showing Londoners how to dispose of batteries safely.

Founded in 1997, the Toronto-based non-profit involved in the plan has worked with city hall for several years to recycle the batteries dropped off at London's four EnviroDepots.

"Batteries never belong in the trash or regular recycling bin, that's the first thing I will say," said Jon McQuaid, vice president of marketing and communications for Call2Recycle Canada.

"What this partnership expansion means is there's more accessible, convenient drop-off locations across the city where Londoners are going on their daily commute, or in their daily routine."

Batteries tossed in the garbage can pose a risk to wildlife, and can corrode in the landfill and contaminate the environment with the hazardous and toxic materials they're made of.

They can also hold a residual charge, and can ignite when damaged, posing a fire and safety risk to residents and to sanitation workers.

A simple online search turns up countless news stories about improperly discarded batteries exploding, starting landfill and garbage truck fires, and injuring workers.

McQuaid says Call2Recycle processed more than 20,000 kilograms of batteries from London drop-off locations last year, including those it has stationed at Home Depot, Rexall, and Staples stores.

"Once batteries are recycled, their components can be reused to make new products and items that we use on an everyday basis, like stainless steel appliances, golf clubs, bicycles and even new batteries," McQuaid said.

Nationwide, the non-profit collected more than 6.8 million kilograms of batteries last year, a new record, along with a growing number of electric vehicle batteries.

Where the new battery recycling containers can be found:

• East Lions Community Centre (1731 Churchill Ave)
• South London Community Centre (1119 Jalna Blvd)
• Canada Games Aquatic Centre (1045 Wonderland Rd N)
• Startech.com Community Centre (501 Southdale Rd W)
• Central Public Library (251 Dundas St)
• Storybook Gardens (1958 Storybook Lane)