Durham Region’s November 2012 battery recycling pilot project has set a Guinness World Record for the most batteries collected in 24 hours.
The Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario’s Works Department received accolades on March 6, 2013 at Durham’s Regional Council meeting. The record haul totaled 5,090 kilograms of batteries, smashing the previous record of 181.8 kg. This was part of 23.94 tonnes of batteries collected over the course of the week.
“On behalf of The Regional Municipality of Durham, I am proud to say we are leaders in waste diversion and we have the Guinness World Record to prove it,” said Roger Anderson, regional chair and CEO, in as statement to media. “Every municipality participated in the collection, so it truly is Durham’s record. Thanks to everyone who helped to contribute to the recycling program and make this new world record a reality.”
Durham Region set out to collect the most batteries in a 24-hour period during a special curbside battery recycling pilot program in November 2012. The pilot program allows Durham residents to place their intact, single-use household batteries in specially-designed battery bags and put them on top of blue box materials during special collection weeks.
“Not only is Durham Region the first regional municipality in Ontario to offer such an extensive curbside battery collection program, but we set a world record, putting us on the map internationally for our waste diversion efforts,” said Cliff Curtis, Commissioner of Works for the region “We’ve received calls from other municipalities across the province and around the world since the pilot program was launched, asking for advice on how to start their own battery collection program.”
The second phase of the battery recycling pilot program takes place the week of March 18, 2013. Residents will again receive a bag with bright orange markings; it will be affixed to their blue box. Batteries should be placed in the battery bag, and then put out at the curb on top of blue box materials on their designated collection day.
Residents who miss the collection date or do not have curbside collection service from the Region of Durham, are encouraged to visit www.makethedrop.ca to find the nearest battery recycling drop-off location that can be used any time of the year.
Batteries should be stored in a cool, dry location, away from any flammable material, prior to disposal. During storage, battery terminals should not be in contact with conductive materials. The terminals on nine-volt batteries, in particular, should be covered prior to storage. Learn more about safe battery storage and disposal at www.hrsdc.gc.ca by clicking on Fire Protection > Federal Fire Protection Policies, Standards and Technical Documents > Technical Documents > Safe Storage, Use and Disposal of Batteries.
“We are happy to report an 11.3 per cent participation rate from residents during the first collection period, and hope that number will be even higher during our second collection period this month,” said Peter Veiga, Waste Management Supervisor. “Remember that 86 per cent of a battery is recoverable and recyclable, and batteries do not belong in the garbage.”
The Region of Durham’s Battery Recycling Pilot Program, “Batteries Dead? Recycle Instead!” is part of Orange Drop, a program operated by Stewardship Ontario. For more information on this pilot program or other waste initiatives, please visit www.durham.ca/battery.