Recycling your batteries just got easier

Your family can help protect the environment and reduce impact on our landfill, one old battery at a time! The City of London and Call2Recycle are launching their new battery recycling initiative to make it easier – and more exciting – for households to safely and responsibly recycle their batteries. 

Currently, Londoners can recycle their batteries at the City’s four EnviroDepots. This new program will add several recycling containers (called Smart Containers) designated for batteries at hot spots around the city to increase access for residents.

“This program is a great example of our commitment to the environment and responsible waste management here in London," says Mayor Josh Morgan. "By simplifying and expanding our recycling services, we're making it easier for Londoners to dispose of batteries properly while providing opportunities to share the importance of recycling with our children."

“This is an important step forward in the City’s recycling efforts,” says Jay Stanford, Director, Climate Change, Environment and Waste Management, City of London. “We are trying to meet Londoners where they are to ensure battery recycling is easy, convenient and engaging. We love looking for opportunities to have children participate and learn about the importance of recycling at a young age.”

The program will officially launch at the Storybook Garden’s Touch-a-Truck event on Saturday, August 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can bring in old batteries to recycle for discounted admission. 

“This partnership reflects our shared belief that sustainability begins with education and accessibility,” said Joe Zenobio, President and CEO at Recycle Your Batteries Canada. “By engaging children and families, we’re helping build a generation that understands the importance of responsible recycling and giving them fun, meaningful ways to take part.”

In the school year, a contest will be launched with classrooms across the city. 

Smart Containers

The six new Smart Containers will be installed at some of the City’s busiest facilities:

• East Lions Community Centre (1731 Churchill Ave)
• South London Community Centre (1119 Jalna Blvd)
• Canada Games Aquatic Centre (1045 Wonderland Rd N)
• Startech.com Community Centre (501 Southdale Rd W)
• Central Public Library (251 Dundas St)
• Storybook Gardens (1958 Storybook Lane)

Each location features educational signage and bilingual materials to ensure residents know how and where to drop off their batteries safely. The goal is to make recycling convenient while encouraging households to participate regularly.

Smart Containers accept consumer dry cell batteries weighing 5 kilograms or less each, including: 

• Alkaline batteries (such as AA and AAA batteries)
• Lithium ion (Li-on) batteries
• Lithium primary batteries
• Nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries
• Nickel metal hydride batteries (Ni-MH)
• Nickel zinc batteries (Ni-Zn)
• Small Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries (excluding SK)

For more information on battery recycling in London, please visit london.ca/recycling.

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Above: Photo of Chris Green (Manager, Community Centres and Senior Centres, City of London), Councillor Rahman, Pirate Pete and Jon McQuaid (Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Call2Recycle).

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Above: Photo of batteries going into Smart Container to be recycled.