Call2Recycle Launches Provincewide Battery Recycling Program in New Brunswick

Canada’s national battery stewardship organization Call2Recycle has rolled out a regulated battery recycling program in New Brunswick, extending extended producer responsibility coverage to households and businesses across the province, the group said in a January announcement. The move matters as provinces tighten landfill diversion targets and address fire risks linked to improperly discarded batteries, according to environmental policy observers.

The New Brunswick launch marks Call2Recycle’s latest expansion after nearly three decades of operating collection and recycling systems across Canada. Battery stewardship has gained urgency in recent years as consumer use of lithium-ion and alkaline batteries has surged alongside electronics adoption, e-mobility growth, and smart devices. Provincial regulators have increasingly shifted from voluntary recycling schemes to mandatory producer-funded models to stabilize collection rates and funding, analysts say.

Under the new program, Call2Recycle will operate an extended producer responsibility framework for household batteries in partnership with Recycle NB, the provincial recycling agency. Reporting by Call2Recycle indicates the network will include hundreds of drop-off locations at retail outlets, municipal depots, public institutions, and community facilities, with additional sites planned as participation grows. Residents will be able to recycle both single-use and rechargeable batteries weighing up to five kilograms through the system.

The program replaces and expands earlier voluntary collection efforts in the province. Recycle NB said the regulated framework is expected to increase diversion volumes and reduce disposal in landfills, where damaged or loose batteries have been linked to fires and contamination incidents. Data published by industry groups show battery-related fires have become a growing concern for waste operators across North America, prompting calls for standardized handling and consumer education.

Call2Recycle said the New Brunswick rollout will be supported by provincewide outreach campaigns and bilingual materials in English and French, reflecting the province’s official language requirements. Safety guidance will emphasize taping terminals and bagging lithium-based batteries individually prior to drop-off, practices widely endorsed by waste and recycling associations.

Provincial officials welcomed the initiative as part of broader waste-reduction efforts. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gilles LePage said the program aligns with New Brunswick’s solid waste management strategy, which aims to increase diversion and promote responsible material recovery. Industry groups argue that consistent, provincewide battery programs also provide manufacturers with clearer compliance pathways as stewardship obligations expand.

Call2Recycle reports it has collected more than 55 million kilograms of batteries nationwide since its inception, contributing recovered metals and materials back into domestic supply chains. Observers note that adding New Brunswick strengthens national coverage and could serve as a model for harmonizing battery recycling rules across smaller provinces with dispersed populations.

Analysts say program performance will depend on retailer participation, public awareness, and enforcement of producer obligations. As battery chemistries continue to evolve and volumes rise, stewardship organizations may also face pressure to invest in advanced processing capacity and more granular reporting on recovery outcomes.

Source: Call2Recycle

SUNSHINE Spotlight: New Brunswick’s new battery recycling program extends producer responsibility across the province, aiming to boost diversion rates and reduce safety risks as battery use continues to grow.