The Manitoba government is celebrating a milestone for battery recycling, with the Call2Recycle stewardship organization, in surpassing the recycling of one million kilograms of batteries in Manitoba, Environment and Climate Minister Kevin Klein announced Tuesday (Apr 18) in advance of Earth Day on April 22.
“Our government applauds Call2Recycle and Manitobans for this exemplary achievement,” said Klein. “We recognize the hard work of everyone involved in this important initiative. Steps that may seem small, such as ensuring batteries do not end up in landfills, really add up and help protect the environment.”
In Manitoba, Call2Recycle has developed an extensive battery collection and recycling program, with 89 per cent of Manitobans located within 15 kilometres of one of its 280 drop-off locations.
“We are proud to see this important battery-recycling milestone reached thanks to the outstanding efforts of our provincial collection and program partners, the Manitoba government and industry, and particularly all Manitobans,” said Joe Zenobio, president, Call2Recycle Canada. “We are looking forward to a strong recycling future in Manitoba to continue diverting batteries from the landfills and building a strong Manitoban circular economy.”
In Budget 2023, the Manitoba government committed $8.7 million for blue bin recycling, compost facilities, and the management of household hazardous waste. Manitobans are doing their part by participating in provincial industry-funded stewardship programs, the minister noted, adding that the program supports a variety of initiatives and help divert over 124,000 tonnes of waste annually.
“While Manitobans can be proud of what has been accomplished so far, we still have more work to do together,” said Klein. “We encourage everyone to do their part to divert even more waste from our landfills. Let’s think outside the box and find new ways to reduce, reuse and recycle, each and every day. Together, we will continue building a more sustainable future.”
For more information on where used batteries can be recycled, visit www.call2recycle.ca/locator/
For details on recycling and waste reduction in Manitoba, visit www.gov.mb.ca/sd/wastewise/
