Canadians challenged to recycle batteries during Waste Reduction Week

Call2Recycle's National Waste Ace Contests motivate Canadians to recycle hoarded batteries

TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2015 /CNW/ - As Canada's national consumer battery recycling stewardship organization, Call2Recycle Canada will be celebrating Waste Reduction Week (October 19-25) this year by calling on Canadians to stop hoarding dead batteries.

"Many Canadians still aren't sure how to properly dispose of batteries, so they squirrel them away in a cupboard, under the sink, a drawer in a desk, or a plastic bag in the garage," said Joe Zenobio, executive director, Call2Recycle Canada, Inc. "Now is the time to gather them and take them to a drop-off location where they can be safely and properly recycled and given new life."

Batteries contain valuable materials, from metal alloys to plastics, so instead of collecting dust in homes, they can be responsibly recycled to create in-demand products like golf clubs, silverware and even new batteries.

Call2Recycle is revving up its efforts across the country, offering rewards to Canadians who divert the most batteries from landfills, and looking for regional 'Waste Aces'.  A Waste Ace is someone who goes above and beyond to responsibly dispose of their waste seriously.

• In British Columbia, Call2Recycle has partnered with Science World B.C. to crown a "BC Waste Ace." Residents are asked to bring in used batteries and cellphones to TELUS World of Science from October 19-25. This is a great chance to support the environment and win great prizes, by filling in a ballot with the number of batteries and cellphones collected. The largest collector will be declared the "B.C. Waste Ace" and win a new digital camera. Others can win some great daily and end-of-contest prizes such as Science World B.C. Membership packs, Ultimate Experience Passes and more.
  
  
• In Manitoba, Call2Recycle is working with Winnipeg Public Libraries across the city. The libraries will compete to see which one can motivate their members to collect the most used batteries and cellphones from Oct 19-25, to earn the title of "Winnipeg Waste Ace." The winning library will receive a prize the whole community can enjoy. Libraries also compete to be the Display Contest winner by making every effort to display materials at their library that showcase creativity, commitment, core messaging and educational information on the concept of battery recycling.
  
  
• In Quebec, Call2Recycle has partnered with Jour de la Terre to find a "Quebec Waste Ace" from October 19-25. Residents are encouraged to visit jourdelaterre.org to complete a registration form to enter the contest. Then, they can visit Call2Recycle.ca to find a drop-off location near them, and bring in their used batteries. There's a daily prize of rechargeable battery packs worth $50 as well as a grand prize draw at the end of the contest for a "Quebec Waste Ace" who will receive a digital camera.
  
  
• In P.E.I., Call2Recycle and Stonepark Intermediate School in Charlottetown are inviting all to participate in a friendly competition to see who can collect the most spent batteries and used cellphones during Waste Reduction Week. The winner will win a prize, and also be awarded the title of "P.E.I. Waste Ace" 2015.

"Recycling used batteries has never been easier. Ninety-one per cent of Canadians live within 15 kilometers of a Call2Recycle drop-off location," said Zenobio. "We couldn't possibly provide such a convenient program without the dedication of our partners, the commitment of our employees, the unrelenting endorsement from our industry stewards, and of course the support of Canadians from across the country!"

Waste Reduction Week is the perfect time for Canadians all over the country to lead the recycling charge by recycling waste responsibly, and emerging as "Waste Aces."

About Call2Recycle Canada, Inc.
Call2Recycle Canada, Inc. is a non-profit organization that collects and recycles batteries at no cost for municipalities, businesses and consumers. Since 1997, Call2Recycle has diverted over 45 million kilograms of batteries and cellphones from the solid waste stream and established more than 7,000 collection sites throughout Canada. A leader in its field, Call2Recycle was built upon a commitment to environmental sustainability and meets or exceeds the most rigorous recycling standards for the safe recycling and management of batteries. Learn more at call2recycle.ca or call 1.888.224.9764.

SOURCE Call2Recycle

Image with caption: "Call2Recycle (CNW Group/Call2Recycle)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151016_C4743_PHOTO_EN_522368.jpg

For further information: please contact: Tia Thomas, Consultant, Environics Communications, [email protected], [phone]; Sandra Abuwalla, Director, Marketing & Communications, Call2Recycle Canada, Inc., [email protected], [phone]