Whitby: With the upcoming time change and local fire departments’ promotion of changing batteries in smoke alarms, Durham Region’s Works Department is reminding residents to place their used or unwanted batteries out for recycling on their collection day during the week of November 4.
When: Fall battery collection occurs the week of November 4 on blue box collection days.
Where: Households across Durham Region who currently receive curbside collection services.
Why: 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 2012, Durham residents have diverted more than 219,000 kilograms of batteries from the waste stream.
Note: Residents received two orange labels in their 2018-2019 Waste Collection Calendar Guide. 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. Keeping batteries separate from other blue box materials helps workers clearly identify them; please do not put loose batteries in 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.