P.E.I. is making strides on battery recycling, says national advocacy group
Jon McQuaid, the vice president of marketing, communications and innovation at Call2Recycle Canada, said 48,000 kilograms of batteries were recycled in the province last year, "another increase year-over-year on the Island."
That was part of over 6.8 million kilograms of batteries recycled across Canada, he said — including everything from the smallest remote control batteries to power sources used on devices like electric bikes and scooters to large truck engine batteries.
McQuaid said P.E.I. is one of the leading provinces for battery recycling, adding that batteries do not belong in the garbage for several reasons.
Primarily, he said, "We don't want batteries to end up in landfill, where they could pose a risk to wildlife, nature and water."
Then there's the economic cost of throwing batteries away.
McQuaid said recycling them opens the door to creating a circular economy, meaning their components can be reused to make new products ranging from golf clubs to stainless-steel appliances.
Where to power down?
One place where people on the Island can recycle their household and motor vehicle batteries is Princess Auto in Charlottetown.
Store leader Mitchell Vogan said he has definitely seen an increase in customers recycling their batteries this year, possibly due in part to several promotional programs that Princess Auto runs.
"If somebody brings back their old [motorized vehicle] battery, we remove that fee off of the new battery, so that it's a way for them to not have to pay that core fee and a way for us to get the batteries in to recycle properly," Vogan said.
He added that sometimes Princess Auto will offer $15 gift cards to people who bring in motorized vehicle batteries without buying a new one, as an incentive for Islanders to keep recycling.
Vogan estimated that the store recycles between 80 and 200 motor vehicle batteries per month.
"Recycling them properly is just… a much safer way for everybody," he said.
Vogan wasn't surprised to learn that the stats show P.E.I. has been recycling more batteries these days. In the last couple of years, he said he has seen more people come in with batteries that they previously hadn't known what to do with.
"I think people didn't know that they can recycle it, so they just stored it somewhere, leave it in a garage or basement or something.
"There is definitely… an interest on the Island for sure to stay environmentally aware. And I think that the Island has done a really good job," Vogan added.
Keeping the charge going
While this year was a year to celebrate in terms of battery recycling, McQuaid said there is still room for improvement, given the nearly 100 battery disposal locations on the Island.
"There's more opportunity, there's more growth for residents and Islanders to get involved," he said.
To find the nearest location, Islanders can visit the Call2recycle website and enter their postal code.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
43 minutes ago
- CBC
Businesses owners in P.E.I. and N.B. say cuts to bridge tolls, ferry fees will give them a boost
Business leaders around the Maritimes are feeling optimistic over the news that the cost of crossing the Confederation Bridge and using the Northumberland ferry service is being reduced. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Monday that the toll to use the bridge, which connects Prince Edward Island with New Brunswick, will be reduced to $20 as of this Friday. The rates to travel by ferry between Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S., are also going down by 50 per cent on Aug. 1. The move fulfilled an election campaign promise from Carney, who pledged to reduce the cost of travelling between provinces and barriers to interprovincial trade. Marc Pelletier, director of membership and business support at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton, said the announcement is good news for New Brunswick and P.E.I. "The high bridge tolls have really acted as an interprovincial tariff, so to speak, between the two provinces, increasing the cost of transport and final costs of goods on both sides," he said. "You just have to scan the parking lot of Costco and other retailers in Moncton on a weekend to see how many Islanders make the trek across the bridge to shop." 'It will drive more business' Ben Murphy, CEO of P.E.I.-based Murphy Hospitality Group and Whitecap Entertainment, agrees. His companies have business interests on both sides of the bridge that include retaurants, breweries and hotels. "Anytime anything's cheaper, it will drive more business," Murphy said. "It's tremendous news for Islanders because obviously we're back and forth all the time." Whitecap Entertainment also produces the Sommo Festival held in September in Cavendish, P.E.I., which draws concertgoers from around the Maritimes. Murphy said he's already seen people who are set to attend the festival commenting on social media about the savings the toll reductions will bring. "It's cheaper than it was to come to P.E.I., and hopefully that will continue to drive tourism," he said. "I think there will be big crowds at Sommo either way, but I'm expecting a few more people because of this announcement." WATCH | Islanders and tourists excited about reduced price to leave P.E.I.: Islanders and tourists excited about reduced price to leave P.E.I. 1 day ago Starting Aug. 1, Islanders and visitors will save some money when they leave Prince Edward Island. The toll for the Confederation Bridge is being reduced to $20, while the cost to take ferries is being cut by half. CBC's Tony Davis spoke with people in Charlottetown about what it means for their travel plans. Murphy said the changes will cut costs for Islanders travelling to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and will also put money into the pockets of P.E.I. consumers. "There's no question that... the price of food at grocery stores or at restaurants [has] gone up a lot over the last five years," he said.
a day ago
Ottawa makes good on promise to cut Confederation Bridge tolls, ferry fares in Eastern Canada
The federal government is slashing tolls on the Confederation Bridge and lowering ferry fares in Eastern Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced while in Prince Edward Island on Monday. It's always a good day when you wake up on Prince Edward Island, and today is an especially good day. It's a big day, Carney said at the announcement on P.E.I.'s South Shore, with the Confederation Bridge visible behind him. Effective Aug. 1, the cost of crossing the bridge which connects P.E.I. with New Brunswick will fall to $20 from $50.25. Fares for passengers, cars and commercial traffic on ferry services in Eastern Canada that are federally supported will go down by 50 per cent. Those ferries provide service between: Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Que., and Souris, P.E.I. Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S. Saint John, N.B., and Digby, N.S. Today's announcement will mean more Canadians can see more of Atlantic Canada, Carney said. WATCH | Prime Minister Mark Carney on cuts to Confederation Bridge toll, key ferry fares in Eastern Canada: Fares for passengers and vehicles on the ferry that operates between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador are also going down. Ottawa has pledged to increase funding to the operator, Marine Atlantic, to lower the price by 50 per cent. Ottawa is also freezing commercial freight rates on that route. The costs of the bridge and ferry don't just fall on tourists, Carney said. If we are going to build a stronger, more united economy, and we are doing that, we are going to need to make it more affordable to travel around this country, for people and for businesses. P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz is pictured with the Confederation Bridge in the background on Monday, July 28, 2025. Photo: CBC / Wayne Thibodeau For Rob Lantz, premier of P.E.I., Monday's announcement validated his months-long lobbying effort to reduce the fees. (new window) I've been a real pest, a thorn in the side of everyone in Ottawa, he said. We've been pushing for this forever. It's been 28 years that we've paid outrageous tolls on that bridge behind us and this is going to save Prince Edward Islanders tens of millions of dollars. The move will make life more affordable on P.E.I., he said That bridge effectively acted as a tariff on everything we exported. And that is greatly, greatly reduced today. 'An important decision for us' The importance of affordable travel is not lost on Joanne Thompson, the MP for the Newfoundland and Labrador riding of St. John's East and the federal fisheries minister. We are reliant on Marine Atlantic as part of our connection with the Atlantic Canadian provinces and also the rest of Canada, Thompson said. More than 60 per cent of all goods transported to and from Newfoundland are handled by Marine Atlantic, the federal government said. It also transports about 90 per cent of all perishable items like fresh produce and propane for home heating. Enlarge image (new window) Effective Aug. 1, the cost of crossing the bridge which connects P.E.I. with New Brunswick will fall to $20 from $50.25. Photo: Radio-Canada This is an important decision for us on connectivity, Thompson said. It's an important decision for our economy and it is important for our families. Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Chrystia Freeland echoed that statement and said the announcement brings measurable economic benefits during a really challenging time for Canada. If we work together, if we build one Canadian economy, if we build Canada strong we can give more to ourselves, we can do more for ourselves and each other than anyone can take away from us, Freeland said. This is Carney's first official visit to P.E.I. as prime minister since the federal election. The announcement makes good on his campaign pledge to reduce the Confederation Bridge tolls and cut ferry rates. Corrections An earlier version of this story on the CBC News website (new window) quoted a federal government press release saying fuel surcharges on some ferry routes were being scrapped. In fact, the government did not make that announcement Monday. Jul 28, 2025 11:46 AM EDT Alex MacIsaac (new window) · CBC News · Associate producer Alex is an associate producer and reporter with CBC News in Prince Edward Island. He grew up on P.E.I. and graduated from Holland College's journalism and communications program. He can be reached at
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Toronto Sun
Canada cutting tolls on PEI bridge, Atlantic Canada ferries
Tolls on Confederation Bridge dropping from $50 to $20, fares on Atlantic ferries will be cut by 50% Tolls on Confederation Bridge dropping from $50 to $20, fares on Atlantic ferries will be cut by 50%. Photo by SARAH SEELEY / BRUNSWICK NEWS OTTAWA — Spending a late-summer holiday exploring Green Gables will soon cost Canadians far less. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Speaking from the south shores of Prince Edward Island Monday morning, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced big cuts to bridge and ferry tolls in Atlantic Canada and Quebec — part of what he says is his plan to make life more affordable. 'One of the reasons, seven months ago when I decided to run for Parliament, was to bring Canadians closer together so that we could build Canada strong,' Carney said during the press conference, referencing conversations with Liberal MPs from PEI. 'That caucus made this point to me, and I made a promise then not only to Islanders but to all atlantic Canadians, that we could cut the tolls on the Confederation Bridge.' With a distant Confederation Bridge as a backdrop, Carney announced that tolls on the nearly 13-kilometer long crossing would be cut from $50 per vehicle to $20. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More As well, fares for passengers and vehicles on federally-supported services by Eastern Canada Ferry Services will be cut in half and no longer be charged fuel surcharges, as will rides on Marine Atlantic ferries between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. 'We're doing that to bring Atlantic Canada closer together, to bring Canadians closer together,' Carney said. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, who is also MP for St. John's East, said cutting fares for those travelling to and from Newfoundland will make a big difference. 'We are reliant on Marine Atlantic as part of our connection with the Atlantic Canadian provinces and also the rest of Canada,' she said. 'This is an important decision for us on connectivity, it's an important decision for our economy, and it's an important decision for our families and how we connect.' bpassifiume@ X: @bryanpassifiume Canada Editorial Cartoons NHL Editorial Cartoons Sunshine Girls
