Where to Recycle Batteries in Canada — A Complete Guide
Find where to recycle batteries near you. Covers alkaline, lithium, car batteries, rechargeable, and button cell batteries — with retailer drop-off locations, preparation tips, and a province-by-province guide.
Battery recycling in Canada is free for consumers — funded by manufacturer environmental fees under provincial EPR laws. Over 15 million kilograms are collected annually.
Battery Types & Where to Recycle Each
Alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V)
Found in remote controls, flashlights, toys, and clocks. Non-rechargeable, contain zinc, manganese, and steel. Accepted at all Call2Recycle bins — Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Best Buy, Staples, London Drugs.
Lithium & Lithium-Ion
Found in smartphones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes, and vapes. Rechargeable, contain valuable cobalt, nickel, and lithium. Accepted at Call2Recycle and electronics recyclers.
Lead-Acid Car Batteries
Used in vehicles, boats, and backup systems. 95%+ recycling rate. Accepted at auto shops, scrap yards, and municipal HHW depots — many pay cash for returns.
Rechargeable (NiMH, NiCd)
Found in cordless phones, power tools, and cameras. Call2Recycle was created specifically for these. Also accepted at EPRA electronics depots.
Button Cell / Coin Batteries
Found in watches, hearing aids, key fobs, and greeting cards. Small but contain silver oxide or lithium. Accepted at Call2Recycle bins, jewellers, and hearing aid clinics.
How to Prepare Batteries for Recycling
- Tape the terminals. Cover positive and negative ends with clear tape. 9V batteries: tape the entire top. Button cells: sandwich between two tape strips. Prevents sparking and fires.
- Sort by chemistry. Separate alkaline, lithium, rechargeable, and button cells. Some bins require pre-sorting.
- Bag damaged batteries. Swollen, leaking, or corroded batteries go in individual clear bags. Do not use unattended bins for damaged lithium — bring to HHW depot.
- Store safely before drop-off. Keep in a cool, dry place in a non-metal container. Never store loose batteries where terminals can touch metal.
- Leave sealed batteries in devices. For non-removable batteries (smartphones, earbuds), recycle the entire device at an electronics drop-off.
Battery Recycling by Province
Ontario
2,500+ locations. Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Hamilton, London offer free municipal drop-off. Most Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Best Buy, and Staples stores accept batteries.
British Columbia
600+ locations. London Drugs, Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Best Buy. Return-It collects lead-acid. BC also accepts e-bike and power tool batteries.
Alberta
Calgary: all city landfills and select fire stations. Edmonton: Eco Stations accept all battery types. Free drop-off at all major retailers.
Quebec
1,000+ locations via Appel à Recycler. IGA, Jean Coutu, Pharmaprix, Rona, Best Buy. Quebec leads Canada in battery collection rates per capita.
Manitoba
Winnipeg 4R Depots + Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Best Buy, Staples. Seasonal HHW events in rural communities.
Saskatchewan
SARCAN for lead-acid. Call2Recycle for household. Saskatoon and Regina: city landfills + big-box retailers.
Nova Scotia
Halifax HRM HHW Depot + Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Best Buy. Call2Recycle covers all Atlantic provinces.
New Brunswick
Recycle NB-authorized retail locations in Fredericton, Moncton. Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Best Buy.
Prince Edward Island
Waste Watch Drop-Off Centres accept household batteries. Call2Recycle partner retail locations.
Newfoundland & Labrador
St. John's: Robin Hood Bay + select retailers. Call2Recycle bins at Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Best Buy.
Yukon
Whitehorse: City landfill and select retail. Call2Recycle mail-back available.
Northwest Territories
Yellowknife: City solid waste facility. Call2Recycle mail-back for remote communities.
Nunavut
Periodic HHW collection events. Contact Call2Recycle for mail-back supplies.
Safety Tips
- Never put batteries in curbside recycling bins — they cause fires.
- Never throw batteries in household garbage — illegal in most provinces.
- Watch for swelling or leaking — store damaged lithium batteries in a metal container.
- Don't mix battery types in storage — keep chemistries separate.
- Avoid extreme temperatures — heat accelerates chemical degradation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put batteries in my curbside recycling bin?
No. Batteries of any kind should never go in curbside recycling or garbage. They can spark and cause fires in collection trucks and sorting facilities. Always use a dedicated drop-off.
Where can I recycle batteries near me?
The easiest way is any major Canadian retailer: Home Depot, Best Buy, Canadian Tire, Staples, and London Drugs all have Call2Recycle bins at their entrances. Use the RecyclingCentres.ca directory to find verified locations with addresses and hours.
Do I need to pay to recycle batteries?
No. Household battery recycling is free at all Call2Recycle locations across Canada. Scrap yards may pay cash for lead-acid car batteries. Retailers may offer a core-charge refund.
Can I recycle damaged or swollen batteries?
Yes, with caution. Place damaged lithium batteries individually in clear plastic bags and bring them to a staffed HHW facility — never put them in unattended retail bins.
What happens to batteries after recycling?
Batteries are sorted by chemistry and processed: alkaline batteries are shredded to recover steel, zinc, and manganese; lithium-ion batteries yield cobalt, nickel, and lithium for new batteries; lead-acid batteries are crushed and 99% is recycled into new batteries.
Cities with Battery Recycling
Browse 217 Canadian cities with battery drop-off locations. Click a city to see addresses, hours, and accepted items.
Find Battery Recycling Near You
Ready to recycle your batteries? Search RecyclingCentres.ca to find a verified drop-off:
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