Batteries
This item is household hazardous waste (HHW).
Never put batteries in your recycling, garbage, or organics bin.
Incorrectly disposing of batteries causes fires and can put workers at risk.
Batteries can spark or cause fires when their terminals (the metal ends of a battery) come into contact with metal or other batteries. To help prevent fires, place tape over the terminals before dropping off your batteries for recycling.
You can dispose of batteries year round for free at convenient drop-off locations near you or at any Community Recycling Centre (CRC).
Free curbside battery collection happens twice a year. Check your calendar for your battery pickup day.
Watch how to put your batteries out for collection:
Battery collection guidelines
- All single-use and rechargeable batteries that weigh less than 5 kg (11 lbs) are collected.
- Car batteries and sealed lead acid batteries are not collected. Take these types of batteries to a Community Recycling Centre for free disposal.
Preparing your batteries for safe collection
While lithium, 9V, and button cell batteries have the highest risk of sparking, all batteries can spark and cause fires when terminals come into contact with metal or other batteries.
Even loose batteries stored together can create a fire hazard.
Taping all of your batteries helps prevent sparks, fires, and injuries during storage, handling, and collection. Before setting out batteries for collection, take a moment to tape them properly, prevent fires and keep collection crews safe.
Single-use batteries (AA, AAA, C, D and similar)
- Cover both metal terminals with tape.
Button cell batteries
- Cover the battery completely with tape.
9V batteries
- Cover both metal terminals with tape.
Rechargeable batteries
- Cover the metal terminals with tape.
Store batteries for collection
- Place all taped batteries in a clear bag.
- Store batteries in a safe, dry location until your scheduled collection day.
- Check your calendar calendar for pickup dates.
Putting your battery bags out for collection
- On your battery pickup day, place your sealed bag (or bags) of batteries on top of your closed organics (green) bin.
- If you don’t have a green bin, place your bag of batteries beside your recycling.
For apartments and condominiums
Check with your building’s property management for proper disposal options. Your property manager can contact Peel Region to arrange a battery collection service, or visit the Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! website to find a free drop-off location for safely disposing of batteries throughout the year.
