City residents have options for getting rid of old batteries

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on April 2, 2025.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

It’s a dilemma faced by Canadians and people around the world on a daily basis — what do you do with your dead batteries. Do you sneak them into a garbage container knowing full well you’re contributing to pollution? Or do you hoard them in a drawer because you don’t know what other options you might have?
Lethbridge residents are expressly prohibited from disposing of batteries — and devices that contain batteries – in their black garbage bins. Improperly disposed batteries can get crushed by equipment or come into contact with metal, potentially causing fires.
The City’s waste and recycling centre has a drop-off for batteries and other electronic items, but for those who feel driving that far is an inconvenience, other options are available.
On Tuesday, national consumer battery recycling organization Call2Recycle announced the launch of a battery recycling program across Alberta, which is being operated under the oversight of the Alberta Recycling Management Authority.
Call2Recycle calls the initiative “a significant step in expanding battery recycling across the province. This program will provide Albertans with over 1,100 battery drop-off locations in conveniently located  retail stores, municipal facilities, public institutions and  community centres. It aims to advance environmental sustainability and reduce our impact on the planet.”
According to website Recycle Your Batteries Canada!, batteries that end up in landfills can leak toxic substances, contaminating the environment, including water and soil. Rainfall can corrode batteries and carry their contents into stormwater systems, upsetting ecosystems and causing harm to humans as well as wildlife.
One website estimates that four billion AA alkaline battery cells are  produced each year alone. Lithium batteries can be  particularly volatile, causing landfill fires and releasing dangerous gases into the atmosphere.
An online locator tool at https://recycleyourbatteries.ca  can help  residents find a drop-off location. At that site, residents can type  in their postal code and a search engine will show drop-off locations. It shows 15 sites on all three sides of the city.
They include Rexall Lethbridge Crossings, the westside Save-On Food store, HearingLife Canada, Staples Canada, BikeLane (Mat’s Bike Repair), Princess Auto, Home Depot, Dr. Phone Fix Lethbridge, Best Buy, London Drugs, RONA, All-Tra Battery, Lowe’s, Communications Group  and Canadian Energy & Power. All locations accept single-use and rechargeable batteries while BikeLane also collects eMobility batteries.
Last year, Call2Recycle says it collected more than 6.8 million  kilograms of batteries across the country. It operates nearly 15,000 collection sites in Canada. Since it was started in 1997, Call2Recycle has diverted more than 50 million kilograms of batteries from landfills in this country.
“Expanding into Alberta is an exciting milestone for Call2Recycle as  we continue our mission to enhance environmental protection and promote sustainable recycling solutions across Canada,” said Joe  Zenobio, President and CEO of Call2Recycle in a Tuesday news release.
“We are proud to work on behalf of our members on this new program  that makes battery recycling easier and more accessible for Albertans  while reducing battery waste’s environmental impact and fostering a cleaner, more sustainable future.” 
Under the program, single-use and rechargeable batteries weighing up to five kilograms each can be dropped off.
It’s suggested that battery terminals be covered with clear packing tape, electrical tape or duct tape and that brand name and chemistry on labels be left visible. Batteries requiring terminal protection  include lithium, coin cell, small sealed lead acid and alkaline of nine volts or higher power. To avoid corrosion, it’s recommended that batteries be dropped off every three months.

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