Keeping batteries out of the landfill

Throwing batteries into the garbage is something that has always bothered me. As a result, I had been storing up all my used batteries for years, in a container in my basement storage room, keeping them for some future day when I could find somewhere to properly dispose of them. Well, that day has finally arrived! I have enrolled our school with Call2Recycle®. Who is Call2Recycle®, you ask? Well, here is their bio, from their website (http://www.call2recycle.ca/):

Call2Recycle® is the only free battery and cell phone collection program in North America. Since 1996, Call2Recycle has diverted over 60 million pounds of rechargeable batteries from the solid waste stream and established a network of 30,000 public collection sites. Advancing green business practices and environmental sustainability, Call2Recycle is the most active voice promoting eco-safe reclamation and recycling of rechargeable batteries and cell phones. Founded in 1994, Call2Recycle® is operated by RBRC, a non-profit organization. Call2Recycle® is funded by product manufacturers across the globe committed to environmentally-sound recycling of rechargeable batteries and cell phones. These manufacturers place the RBRC recycling seal on their rechargeable products and batteries, informing users that they are recyclable.

Call2Recycle® is becoming more and more popular, as this year alone, more than 6.5 million pounds of batteries have been collected! With our school now a collection site for Call2Recycle®, you can send your used up batteries with your children, and I'll put them in the collection box. Every time a collection box becomes full (50 lbs.), Purolator comes to pick it up, and Call2Recycle® sends another collection box. There is absolutely no cost to the school, and no cost to those dropping off batteries. It's an easy way to safely and responsibly dispose of your used batteries... finally! So, if you're a parent of a student at Radisson School, send those old batteries in a plastic bag to my room, and I'll send them away to Call2Recycle® - it's the environmentally responsible (and easy!) thing to do!

P.S. Don't forget... when buying batteries for your household use, purchase rechargeable ones - it means that there's that many less batteries that we have to worry about disposing of in the first place!