Region of Durham awarded 2022 Leader in Sustainability Award

Whitby, Ontario – The Regional Municipality of Durham is pleased to announce that it has been named by Call2Recycle® Canada, Inc. (Call2Recycle) as a 2022 Leader in Sustainability. The Leader in Sustainability Award is granted each year to organizations that display exceptional commitment to battery recycling.

In 2022, Durham Region collected 17,673 kilograms of household batteries at Regional Waste Management Facilities through the Call2Recycle program, making it one of the top-performing partners. With this recognition, Durham Region joins a celebrated group of major municipalities, businesses, retailers, and waste recyclers, setting a high standard for waste diversion and environmental excellence. As one of Canada’s fastest growing communities, Durham Region is committed to leading the way by demonstrating leadership in sustainability and addressing climate change.

Durham provides residents with various options for the drop-off of batteries. Drop-off locations include the waste management facilities in Oshawa, Scugog and Brock, Household Special Waste Depot in Clarington, and the Region partners with a private site in Pickering for the safe disposal of batteries. Curbside collection of batteries is offered twice a year, in the spring and fall and many multi-residential buildings also receive battery collection by the Region. Durham provides education to remind residents that batteries are not garbage, and up to 92 per cent of battery components are recyclable and recoverable. Participation in the program can help eliminate mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals from entering the environment.

Quotes

“Durham Region is committed to protecting the environment for current and future generations by demonstrating leadership in sustainability and addressing climate change. We are proud to receive this Leader in Sustainability Award from Call2Recycle for our continued participation in the battery collection program and as a demonstration of our commitment to addressing sustainability in waste management. We also want to thank our residents for their efforts in the program as we continue to find ways to make recycling batteries easier to help keep them out of the waste stream.”

-        John Presta, Commissioner, Durham Region Works Department

“Each year, Canadians recycle more and more of their used batteries with Call2Recycle thanks to the ongoing partnership of organizations like Durham Region. This partnership speaks to a real commitment to sustainability and makes a significant difference. The support we get from Durham Region helps us achieve our mission of maximizing battery diversion from the waste stream, which in turn protects wildlife, the environment and our communities.”

-        Joe Zenobio, President, Call2Recycle® Canada, Inc.

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), or download the Durham Region Waste App.

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