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Stay positive by putting your batteries out for collection

Pick-up is for single-use batteries only, and does not include rechargeable batteries, cellphone and laptop batteries, car, or battery packs
Batteries
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NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
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It’s time to round up dead batteries as curbside battery collection returns to Simcoe County Nov. 2 to 6, 2020.

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. Batteries can also be placed in clear, sealed bags. Battery bags must be placed curbside in a visible location beside (not inside) the recycling box on residents’ regularly scheduled collection day, during the week of Nov. 2-6.

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.

The County’s 2019 collection resulted in a total of 28.32 tonnes of batteries collected, an increase of 9.8 per cent over the previous year. Since its inception in 2014, residents have continued to grow this program annually, with the 2019 tonnage being 57.9 per cent higher than year one, a remarkable increase in participation and uptake in just six years.  

For more information about the single use battery collection week, please contact Service Simcoe Contact Centre at 705-735-6901 or visit simcoe.ca.

The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.

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