Editor's note: The following does not affect residents in the City of Barrie, which manages its own waste collection, but does apply to neighbouring towns and townships. The City of Barrie's battery collection will take place Nov. 1-5.
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NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
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Curbside battery collection is back in Simcoe County as collection crews hit curbs Oct. 25-29, 2021 to round up used batteries from households across the region. The county is moving up battery collection this year so as not to impact the start of our safe and easy automated cart collection and the rollout of our new collection schedule on Nov. 1.
The County of Simcoe collected over 45.2 tonnes of batteries in 2020, and residents across the region continue to show strong participation in their battery recycling habits. This program is vital to protecting the environment by keeping batteries, which contain harmful substances, out of the garbage and landfills. Some batteries may also pose health and safety risks due to leaking or the potential for fire and explosion.
Disposable battery bags, with instructions, were mailed to households in October. Battery bags are also available at County of Simcoe Waste Management facilities or local municipal offices. Batteries can also be placed in clear, sealed bags. Battery bags must be placed curbside in a visible location beside waste on residents’ regularly scheduled collection day between Oct. 25-29.
Batteries will be collected with a different truck so it’s important they are out by 7 a.m. to ensure collection.
The program is for single-use batteries only, including type AAA, AA, A, C, D, 9-volt and button batteries commonly used for hearing aids and watches.
Rechargeable batteries, cellphone and laptop batteries, car, industrial and battery packs are not accepted in the program, but may be taken to any County of Simcoe household hazardous waste facility for safe, free disposal.
Collected batteries are consolidated and sent for processing to an Ontario company that separates the various components of the batteries, with approximately 90 per cent of the battery components being recycled.
For 2021 only, timing for the Battery Collection for county residents will not coincide with the City of Barrie Battery Collection Program as the city will continue with collection Nov. 1-5. For more information about the City of Barrie’s single-use battery collection week, please visit barrie.ca/CurbsideCollection or call 705-739-4219.
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