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P.E.I. teams up with Call2Recycle to keep batteries out of landfills

Prince Edward Island plans to boost its efforts to keep used batteries out of landfills.

The government is teaming up with a non-profit group to get more Islanders recycling.

At the Staples store in Charlottetown, the battery recycling bin is often full.

"We have customers coming in daily that will drop off their batteries. Our recycling bin is quite large, it's filled once a week," said store manager Stacey Ponzo.

To help encourage Islanders to do more, the government has signed a memorandum of understanding with a group called Call2Recycle Canada — a national organization that coordinates efforts by manufacturers to keep batteries, and the potentially harmful heavy metals they contain, out of landfills.

20,000 kg of batteries

"What our agreement calls for them to do is increase the level of recovery, the number of sites where consumers can return single-use and rechargeable batteries, so they can be recycled instead of, all too frequently here on the island, finding their way into landfill sites," said John Hughes, the director of special projects for the P.E.I. environment division.

According to Call2Recycle, Islanders recycled 20,000 kg of batteries last year through its 30 drop-off locations in P.E.I. As a result of this new agreement, the organization aims to double the number of drop-off locations in the year ahead.

Call2Recycle recently signed an agreement with New Brunswick, similar to P.E.I.'s.

Call2Recycle CEO Joe Zenobio said the group is also in talks with Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

"Historically, P.E.I.'s done a fairly good job,"said Zenobio.

"Our experience has been, across Canada and other jurisdictions, in many cases, residents aren't aware that there's a program and in the absence of that awareness, they'll put their batteries into the garbage, which end up in landfills."

The company will be approaching Island retailers to install drop-off boxes, and will launch an awareness campaign. The province says schools may get recycling bins too.