Recycle your batteries during the week of April 17

The Regional Municipality of Durham is reminding residents to place their used or unwanted household batteries out for recycling on their collection day during the week of April 17.

When: Spring battery collection occurs April 17 to 21, on blue box collection days.

Where: Households across Durham Region who currently receive curbside collection services.

Why: To coincide with Earth Day on April 22 and the annual Earth Week celebrations. Batteries are not garbage – up to 92 per cent of battery components are recyclable and recoverable. By taking part in the battery collection program, you can help eliminate mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals from entering the environment. Since the first battery collection in November 2012, Durham Region residents have diverted more than 372 tonnes (372,000 kilograms) of household batteries from the waste stream.

Note: Residents should place their used or unwanted household batteries in a clear, sealable plastic bag. Sealed bags should be placed on top of paper blue boxes for collection during the week of April 17 only. Keeping batteries separate from other blue box materials helps collection workers to clearly identify them; please do not put loose batteries inside your blue box.

Batteries should be stored in a cool, dry location, away from any flammable material, prior to recycling. During storage, battery terminals should not be in contact with conductive materials. The terminals on lithium, nine-volt, six-volt and button cell batteries should be covered with masking tape prior to storage and recycling. For more information about preparing batteries for recycling, visit durham.ca/Battery.

If you miss your collection date, household batteries can be dropped off at one of the Region’s Waste Management Facilities year-round, free of charge. For a list of locations, visit durham.ca/WMF.

Residents are encouraged to download the Durham Region Waste App to access waste management information.

For more information, visit durham.ca/Waste, email waste@durham.ca, dial 311 (within Regional limits) or 905-668-7711 (toll-free at 1-800-372-1102).