Recycling batteries is a simple yet crucial action we can all take to protect our environment and conserve valuable resources. Batteries contain a variety of metals and chemicals, many of which are hazardous and can cause serious harm if they end up in landfills. When batteries are improperly disposed of, these toxic substances can leak into the soil and groundwater, polluting our ecosystems and posing a risk to human health. By recycling them, we prevent this contamination and ensure these harmful materials are handled responsibly.
Beyond preventing pollution, recycling batteries is a key part of the circular economy. Batteries contain valuable materials like cobalt, lithium, and nickel, which are finite resources mined from the earth. The process of extracting these raw materials is energy-intensive and can have significant environmental and social impacts. By recycling, we can recover these valuable metals and reintroduce them into the manufacturing process for new batteries and other products. This reduces the demand for new mining, conserving natural resources and lowering our collective carbon footprint. Ultimately, recycling batteries isn't just about waste management; it's about safeguarding our planet's health for future generations and using our resources more wisely.
The Government of New Brunswick has established the Designated Materials Regulation 2024-37 under the Clean Environment Act which introduces a new Extended Producer Responsibility program for batteries in New Brunswick. REGULATION 2024-37, effective July 15, 2024, sets out the requirements for the program.
Battery is defined as “a container that does not exceed 5 kg in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a power source, and includes a single-use or rechargeable battery, but does not include a battery contained in a designated material."
As the agency responsible for designated materials, Recycle NB will oversee the battery program in New Brunswick. Under REGULATION 2024-37, no producer shall sell, offer for sale or distribute a battery to a person in the Province on or after October 31, 2024, unless the producer is registered with Recycle NB.
Producers may choose a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) to operate a recycling program for batteries on their behalf. The PRO will be required to submit a stewardship plan for the collection and management of batteries throughout New Brunswick by December 31, 2024.
More details about REGULATION 2024-37 can be found here.