RDNO Getting Out of Battery Collection

The Regional District of North Okanagan is phasing out the collection of batteries at its recycling facilities over the next three months.

RDNO says those services are already offered by stewardship agencies such as Call-2-Recycle and the Canadian Battery Association which provide over 20 locations in the North Okanagan to drop off batteries at no charge.

“When consumers purchase a battery the cost for collection is added in by the retailer, then these fees are used to pay for the cost of collecting, shipping and processing the batteries. This extended producer responsibility program is mandated by the province through their Recycling Regulation,” says an RDNO release.

“We believe it is more convenient and less expensive for customers to use retailers and other depots to recycle their batteries instead of the RDNO facilities,”says Mike Fox, General Manager Community Services. “Consumers are already paying for collection when they purchase a battery, and then again if they use an RDF through our tipping fees.”