Earth Day | 2021

EARTH DAY 2021

SATURDAY APRIL 17, 2021 5

should be recycled and never tossed in the garbage or regular recycling bin. By recycling batteries properly, you can help to preserve the environment and keep them out of landfills, reduce the risk of fire and contribute to the circular economy. “When old batteries are thrown in the garbage,” she said, “they end up in landfills where the components that are toxic can be harmful to our environment and wildlife.” When an old battery appears dead, it can still hold a residual charge, Romilly added. “If certain types of batteries come into contact with other metal objects that may be in your garbage or junk drawer, it can potentially lead to a spark and eventually a fire,” she said. “Safe battery recycling practices minimize the risk for a potential fire.” Adding to the benefits, recycled batteries can be processed and used to make other common goods like bicycles, golf clubs and stainless steel appliances. Romilly suggests protecting and storing old batteries at home until it’s safe to recycle them. “Once your batteries reach their end of life, don’t throw them out — tape the ends of them and keep them in a cool, dry place in a non-metal container,” she said. “Once you have a few collected, bring them to one of Call2Recycle’s drop-off locations.” Across Winnipeg, there are more than 200 public battery drop-off locations, including many

at retail partners such as Home Depot, Rona and Staples. For 88 per cent of Manitobans, they can find a drop-off location within 15 kilometres of their home. Last year, Canadians helped Call2Recycle collect a record number of batteries weighing in at 4.1 million kilograms. Contributing to these efforts, Manitobans recycled 98,000 kilograms of used batteries, with Winnipeg alone recycling 60,442 kilograms. “The results of a 2020 Ipsos study commissioned by Call2Recycle Canada reveal that Manitoba residents have taken significant steps forward over the past few years with their battery recycling behaviour,” Romilly noted. “Not only was there an increase in the proportion of batteries recycled and a decrease in the amount of batteries thrown away, but 77 per cent of Manitobans surveyed are aware that consumer household batteries can be recycled.” For Earth Day on April 22, Call2Recycle encourages Canadians to recycle old batteries and tag the organization on social media (@Call2RecycleCA for Twitter and @ Call2RecycleCanada for Facebook) using #Call2RecyclePledge. To find the nearest battery recycling drop-off location, visit www.call2recycle.ca/locator.

Recycled batteries can be processed and used to make other common goods like bicycles, golf clubs and stainless steel appliances.

HAPPY EARTH DAY 2021

Fighting for your right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment!

MALAYA MARCELINO MLA for Notre Dame 204-788-0800 malaya.marcelino@yourmanitoba.ca

JIM MALOWAY MLA for Elmwood 204-415-1122 jim.maloway@yourmanitoba.ca

NELLO ALTOMARE MLA for Transcona 204-594-2025 nello.altomare@yourmanitoba.ca

Niki Ashton , MP Churchill—Keewatinook Aski Niki.Ashton@parl.gc.ca 1-866-785-0522

Leah Gazan , MP Winnipeg Centre Leah.Gazan@parl.gc.ca 204-984-1675

Daniel Blaikie , MP Elmwood—Transcona Daniel.Blaikie@parl.gc.ca 204-984-2499

LISA NAYLOR MLA for Wolseley 204-792-2773 lisa.naylor@yourmanitoba.ca

MATT WIEBE MLA for Concordia 204-654-1857 matt.wiebe@yourmanitoba.ca

JAMIE MOSES MLA for St. Vital 204-219-5407 jamie.moses@yourmanitoba.ca