Local Residents and Fire Halls Prove Battery Recycling is “Easy as 1-2-3” by Surpassing 3,000 Kilogram Recycling Goal
HAMILTON, ON (Dec. 3, 2010) – Prior to the Dec. 3 Hamilton Bulldogs game, the City of Hamilton and Call2Recycle®, a free battery and cellphone collection program in North America, hosted a joint press conference to thank Hamiltonians for their efforts to divert batteries from local landfills. On Oct. 5, Hamiltonians were asked to collect batteries by Nov. 7 as part of the 3,000 kilogram battery recycling drive. That goal was well-surpassed, with more than 6,300 kilograms of batteries collected in Hamilton is just over a month, earning a special reward: a community event involving Lafleur and members of the Oldtimers’ Hockey Legends Team followed by Lafleur’s presence at the Oldtimers’ Legends hockey game at Copps Coliseum on March 6.
The battery recycling goal was set in conjunction with Call2Recycle’s partnership with the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Bulldogs, in support of the local Fire Halls and their campaign which reminded residents to change their smoke detector batteries when setting their clocks back for daylight savings time. The “Easy as 1-2-3” recycling campaign added another step for residents to take on Nov. 7 – bring their old batteries to any of Hamilton’s 27 local Fire Halls and Emergency Service Stations for recycling.
“By setting the 3,000 kilogram battery recycling goal, we aimed to educate Hamiltonians about battery recycling,” said Pat Parker, Director of Support Services, Operations and Waste Management Division. “We are thrilled that the city surpassed the collection goal and look forward to celebrating together in March. But between now and then, and even after, we hope everyone will remember that battery recycling is important and can be done easily at any of Call2Recycle’s collection sites.”
As part of the initiative, Hamilton’s 27 Fire Halls and Emergency Service Stations competed with one another to collect the most batteries. Fire Hall #5, located at 1000 Lime Ridge Road East, won the competition, collecting nearly 375 kilograms of batteries. The Fire Hall will be rewarded with a special visit by Guy Lafleur as part of the March 6 community celebrations.
Call2Recycle collects all household batteries weighing up to five kilograms at more than 65 locations in Hamilton. For additional information about the collection drive and to find a location in your neighborhood, visit call2recycle.ca/hamilton.
About City of Hamilton
The City of Hamilton’s vision is to be the best place in Canada to raise a child, promote innovation, engage citizens and provide diverse economic activities.
About Call2Recycle®
Call2Recycle® is the only free rechargeable battery and cellphone collection program in North America. Since 1994, Call2Recycle has diverted more than 27 million kilograms of rechargeable batteries from local landfills and established a network of 30,000 recycling drop-off locations. Advancing green business practices and environmental sustainability, Call2Recycle is the most active voice promoting eco-safe reclamation and recycling of rechargeable batteries and cellphones. Call2Recycle is operated by the non-profit Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC). Learn more at call2recycle.ca or 877.2.RECYCLE.
DEC