Call2Recycle begins provincial battery recycling program in Nova Scotia

Call2Recycle has launched its battery recycling program, "Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!", in Nova Scotia as of July 1, 2024. As the government-approved program, Call2Recycle will operate the province's household battery recycling initiative under Nova Scotia's new solid waste resource management regulations, supporting Nova Scotia's efforts in fighting climate change and reducing waste. 

The program's launch follows the Government of Nova Scotia's implementation in August 2023 of new extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations, which require obligated producers to manage the end-of-life of batteries sold in the province. This makes Nova Scotia the second Atlantic province to implement comprehensive battery recycling regulations. 

"Nova Scotia is committed to environmental protection and fostering sustainable waste management practices," said Timothy Halman, Nova Scotia's Minister of Environment and Climate Change. "Call2Recycle's battery recycling program directly aligns with these goals, not only by reducing waste but also by contributing to climate change mitigation and promoting a strong circular economy in our province through responsible battery recycling."

Call2Recycle has been present in Nova Scotia through a voluntary program since 1999 and has collected and recycled over 770,000 kilograms of batteries in the province over 25 years. The launch of the "Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!" program in Nova Scotia marks a significant step in supporting the province's climate change and waste reduction strategy. Call2Recycle will expand its collection network and ramp up public education efforts to raise awareness of this shared environmental effort.

The new program offers Nova Scotians greater access to recycling options for a wide range of used batteries, including single-use and rechargeable batteries weighing less than five kilograms each, as well as e-mobility batteries used in devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters. By responsibly recycling their batteries, Nova Scotians can play a vital role in preventing batteries from ending up in landfills and ensuring that the valuable components are recovered and reintroduced into the manufacturing stream for creating new products.

"We are excited to introduce Nova Scotians to our Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! program," said Joe Zenobio, president of Call2Recycle Canada. "Through continued collaboration with the provincial government, our retail and municipal collection partners, and local communities, we are committed to providing Nova Scotia with a comprehensive program that responsibly diverts batteries from landfills. Our proven track record in other provinces positions us to significantly contribute to Nova Scotia's environmental protection and waste reduction goals." 

Nova Scotians can participate in the program by dropping off their used batteries at "Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!" locations throughout the province, including retailers and municipal depots.