Recycle your batteries during the week of April 19 to 23

Whitby, Ontario – 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 19.

When: Spring battery collection occurs the week of April 19 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 286 tonnes (286,000 kilograms) of household batteries from the waste stream. According to the World Wildlife Fund, an average African elephant weighs about 5,443 kilograms (5.443 tonnes). Therefore, the total weight of household batteries diverted from the waste stream by Durham residents since 2012 would equal the total weight of fifty-seven (57) African elephants.

Note: Residents received two orange labels in their Waste Collection Calendar Guide or a printable version of the label can be found at durham.ca/battery. Residents should affix the label to a clear, sealable plastic bag containing their used or unwanted household batteries. Sealed bags should be placed on top of paper blue boxes for collection during the week of April 19 only. Keeping batteries separate from other blue box materials helps 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 and nine-volt batteries should be covered with masking tape prior to storage. 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

Regional Municipality of Durham’s Waste Management Facilities year-round, free of charge. For a list of locations, visit durham.ca/WMF.

For more information, visit durham.ca/waste, email waste@durham.ca, call 1-800-667-5671 or download the Durham Region Waste App.

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