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 November 8.
- When: Fall battery collection occurs the week of November 8 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 311,420 kilograms of household batteries from the waste stream.
The upcoming Daylight Savings Time change on November 7 coincides with local fire departments’ reminder for residents to change their batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Place any used or unwanted household batteries out for collection.
Note: Residents received two orange labels in their 2021-2022 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 your blue box for paper during the week of November 8 only. Keeping batteries separate from other blue box materials helps collection 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.
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.