By james art Durham Region and Environmental 360 Solutions have received the North American Hazardous Materials Association’s prestigious 2024 Public-Private Partnership Award for the Battery Recycling Program.
This award recognizes unique and effective partnerships in municipal hazardous waste services, including best recycling/reuse strategies, best documented educational strategies leading to positive behavior change, and/or best documented hazard reduction, said a regional statement.
Since the first curbside collection in 2012, Durham has diverted nearly 454,000 kilograms, or more than one million pounds of batteries, for recycling. It also served as a catalyst for battery recycling across Ontario, with more than 60 municipalities starting their own programs. In 2013, the region won the Guinness World Records award for the most batteries collected in one day, 5,120 kilograms (11,288 pounds).
In addition to curbside collection offered in the spring and fall, the region provides residents with a network of facilities, special events and curbside collection where batteries are recycled. Drop-off locations include Waste Management facilities in Oshawa, Scugog and Brock. The region also has a municipal and special waste landfill in Clarington and partners with a private site in Pickering to offer free battery collection. Many residential properties include on-site battery collection.
Battery collection programs in Durham continue to maximize battery collection while keeping mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals out of the waste stream. Household batteries are actively managed in Ontario and recycled responsibly through proper handling and conservation of valuable renewable resources.
The next battery street collection for Durham Region is scheduled to take place from 28 April to 2 May 2025. Sealed battery bags must be placed on the closed green collection container during this time. For more information about Durham Region’s battery recycling program, visit durham.ca/Battery.
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