How to recycle rechargeable batteries
Take rechargeable batteries to a participating retailer for recycling, free of charge.
Retailer locations include:
- Best Buy
- Home Depot
- Ikea
- Lowes
- MEC
- Staples
- The Source
- RONA
- Apple Store
- London Drugs
- Princess Auto
- ListenUP! Canada
- UBreakifix
Rechargeable batteries are commonly found in cellphones, digital cameras, laptop computers, cordless power tools and other household appliances.
Types of rechargeable batteries accepted include:
- Nickel cadmium batteries
- Small sealed lead acid batteries
- Nickel zinc batteries
- Nickel metal hydride batteries
- Lithium ion / lithium polymer batteries
Special instructions
For safety precautions, tape over the ends (positive and negative terminals) of each individual lithium battery. This also applies to button style batteries. Separate your taped lithium batteries by putting inside a Ziploc bag and sealing shut.
Taping off the ends of your batteries will ensure that they cannot touch each other to prevent a fire from occurring.
Why can’t batteries go into the carts?
Batteries need to be separated and taken to a different location for safe handling. If they end up in any of the bins, the batteries can get crushed by equipment leading to fires at the recycling facility, composting facility and landfill sites.
