P.E.I. is making strides on battery recycling, says national advocacy group

Prince Edward Islanders charged ahead in 2024, setting a new record for recycling their used batteries. 

Jon McQuaid, the vice president of marketing, communications and innovation at Call2Recycle Canada, said 48,000 kilograms of batteries were recycled in the province last year, "another increase year-over-year on the Island."

That was part of over 6.8 million kilograms of batteries recycled across Canada, he said — including everything from the smallest remote control batteries to power sources used on devices like electric bikes and scooters to large truck engine batteries.

McQuaid said P.E.I. is one of the leading provinces for battery recycling, adding that batteries do not belong in the garbage for several reasons.  

Primarily, he said, "We don't want batteries to end up in landfill, where they could pose a risk to wildlife, nature and water."

Then there's the economic cost of throwing batteries away.  

McQuaid said recycling them opens the door to creating a circular economy, meaning their components can be reused to make new products ranging from golf clubs to stainless-steel appliances. 

Where to power down? 

One place where people on the Island can recycle their household and motor vehicle batteries is Princess Auto in Charlottetown.

Store leader Mitchell Vogan said he has definitely seen an increase in customers recycling their batteries this year, possibly due in part to several promotional programs that Princess Auto runs. 

"If somebody brings back their old [motorized vehicle] battery, we remove that fee off of the new battery, so that it's a way for them to not have to pay that core fee and a way for us to get the batteries in to recycle properly," Vogan said. 

He added that sometimes Princess Auto will offer $15 gift cards to people who bring in motorized vehicle batteries without buying a new one, as an incentive for Islanders to keep recycling. 

Vogan estimated that the store recycles between 80 and 200 motor vehicle batteries per month. 

"Recycling them properly is just… a much safer way for everybody," he said.

Vogan wasn't surprised to learn that the stats show P.E.I. has been recycling more batteries these days. In the last couple of years, he said he has seen more people come in with batteries that they previously hadn't known what to do with. 

"I think people didn't know that they can recycle it, so they just stored it somewhere, leave it in a garage or basement or something.

"There is definitely… an interest on the Island for sure to stay environmentally aware. And I think that the Island has done a really good job," Vogan added. 

Keeping the charge going

While this year was a year to celebrate in terms of battery recycling, McQuaid said there is still room for improvement, given the nearly 100 battery disposal locations on the Island.  

"There's more opportunity, there's more growth for residents and Islanders to get involved," he said.

To find the nearest location, Islanders can visit the Call2recycle website and enter their postal code.