Canadians recycled a record amount of used batteries in 2020

Call2Recycle Canada has found that 4.1 million kilograms of household batteries were recycled in 2020. Despite the global pandemic impacting battery recycling habits, Canadians continuing to recycle their batteries safely contributed to the largest amount of batteries diverted from landfills in Call2Recycle's history. 

The 2020 collections results represent Canadians' dedication to battery recycling and safeguarding the environment despite current challenges. While battery recycling momentum increased across the country, regulated provinces British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario, which implemented its battery recycling regulation on July 1, 2020, saw the highest collection results. 

Collections by the numbers 

Battery consumers across Canada recycled more than 4.1 million kilograms of household batteries in 2020. Provinces with regulations for end-of-life battery management (Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island) continued diverting used batteries from landfills despite COVID-19 disruptions:

• Ontario residents collected 1.7 million kilograms of used batteries in 2020, including collections from July 1, operating under the province's new regulation for end-of-life battery management.

• Quebec residents collected 1.2 million kilograms of used batteries, maintaining a steady pace with collections from 2019.

• British Columbia residents recycled over 780,000 kilograms of used batteries resulting in an annual increase of more than 8 percent.

• Manitoba residents recycled more than 98,000 kilograms of used batteries resulting in a slight decrease compared to 2019.

• Prince Edward Island residents recycled almost 20,000 kilograms of used batteries resulting in a decrease compared to 2019.