Curbside battery pickup in Clarington runs Oct. 6–10, Region says

The Region of Durham will collect used household batteries at the curb Oct. 6 to 10 for households that receive curbside collection in Clarington and across Durham Region, the Region said. Residents should place batteries in a clear, sealable plastic bag on top of their closed Green Bin on their regular Green Bin collection day, according to the Region.

The Region says up to 92 per cent of battery components are recyclable and that household batteries contain mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals. Since the first curbside battery collection in November 2012, residents have diverted more than 492 tonnes (1,102,013 pounds) of household batteries from the waste stream, according to the Region.

The Region said sealed bags should be placed on the Green Bin for the week of Oct. 6 only. Batteries are no longer collected with the Blue Box following the Region’s transition of the Blue Box program to Circular Materials on July 1, 2024.

The Region advises batteries be stored in a cool, dry location away from flammable materials prior to recycling. The Region also advises that battery terminals not be in contact with conductive materials during storage. According to the Region, the terminals on lithium, nine-volt, six-volt and button cell batteries should be covered with masking tape before storage and recycling.

Residents who miss their collection date can drop off household batteries year‑round free of charge at the Region’s Waste Management Facilities, the Region said. A list of locations and preparation guidance is available at durham.ca/WMF and durham.ca/Battery. Retail drop‑off options are listed at RecycleYourBatteries.ca.