Latest news with #JoeZenobio
Cision Canada
22-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Circular Materials and Call2Recycle Canada join forces to build a safer, more sustainable future Français
TORONTO, July 22, 2025 /CNW/ - Circular Materials and Call2Recycle Canada are pleased to announce a strategic collaboration designed to share best practices and enhance public awareness for the recycling of materials specific to each organization's mandate. As two national leaders in extended producer responsibility (EPR), this partnership brings together deep expertise in packaging, paper and battery recycling. By aligning communication efforts, sharing best practices and amplifying promotion and education initiatives, Circular Materials and Call2Recycle's program Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! are creating a more streamlined approach to supporting Canadians in their efforts to recycle more responsibly and helping producers meet their regulatory obligations. Ensuring Canadians are informed and equipped to recycle materials responsibly not only drives positive environmental outcomes but keeps recycling systems safe from risks such as battery fires. "This important collaboration reflects our shared commitment to driving material recovery rates and delivering value and education on the recycling of material across the country," said Allen Langdon, CEO of Circular Materials. "By working together, we will help strengthen public awareness and understanding about recycling and ensure our collective efforts are focused on improving environmental outcomes for Canadians from coast to coast." "At Call2Recycle, battery safety is at the heart of everything we do," said Joe Zenobio, President and CEO of Call2Recycle Canada. "We know that education is key to ensuring batteries are recycled safely through one of our 15,000 collection sites, and that they don't end up where they shouldn't, like in blue boxes. Our partnership with Circular Materials helps amplify that message. Together, we're not just raising awareness, we're shaping a safer, more sustainable future for all." By combining forces, Circular Materials and Call2Recycle Canada are setting a new standard for producer-led collaboration, where safety, environmental stewardship and public education are front and center. About Circular Materials Circular Materials is a national not-for-profit producer responsibility organization (PRO) that supports producers in meeting their extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations across Canada. We develop, implement and support effective and efficient recycling programs to advance innovation, deliver improved environmental outcomes and drive value across the recycling supply chain. Learn more at Call2Recycle is a Canadian not-for-profit organisation, leader for the collection and recycling of batteries and battery-powered products. As a trusted steward for more than 400 members including producers of single-use and rechargeable batteries Call2Recycle fulfills regulatory obligations while advancing a circular economy. The organization manages several leading programs, including Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! for household and e-bike batteries. SOURCE Call2Recycle Canada, Inc.
Cision Canada
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
Call2Recycle Launches First Territorial Battery Recycling Program in Yukon, Expanding National Reach Français
WHITEHORSE, YT, July 2, 2025 /CNW/ - Call2Recycle, Canada's leading battery collection and recycling organization, is proud to announce the launch of its Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! program in Yukon, beginning July 1, 2025. This marks a significant milestone as Yukon becomes the first Canadian territory to implement an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) battery recycling program in partnership with Call2Recycle. The initiative, overseen by the Government of Yukon, is designed to give residents greater access to safe, convenient, and environmentally responsible options for disposing of used household batteries. The program aligns with Yukon's commitment to sustainability and circular economy goals, while helping producers meet their regulatory obligations under EPR. "This launch represents an exciting new chapter for Call2Recycle and for Canada's battery recycling landscape," said Joe Zenobio, President and CEO of Call2Recycle. "Expanding into Yukon not only strengthens our national presence but also highlights the growing momentum for EPR solutions across Canada. We're proud to support Yukoners with a program that delivers environmental benefits and simplifies battery recycling in urban and remote communities." Yukon residents will now have access to a growing network of convenient battery collection sites in retail outlets, municipal facilities, public institutions, and other accessible locations throughout the territory. The program's launch in Yukon builds on Call2Recycle's mission to make battery recycling accessible for all Canadians, no matter where they live. This expansion follows the organization's successful program launches in multiple provinces and reflects its continued leadership in battery stewardship. In 2024 alone, Call2Recycle collected over 6.8 million kilograms of batteries nationwide, underscoring its commitment to protecting the environment and supporting a more circular, sustainable economy. With nearly three decades of experience and a collection network spanning close to 15,000 locations across Canada, Call2Recycle remains at the forefront of safe battery disposal and environmental responsibility. Yukoners are encouraged to participate in the program and help build a cleaner, greener future by recycling their used batteries at designated drop-off locations. To learn more about the program or find your nearest collection site, visit the Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! website. About Call2Recycle Canada, Inc. Call2Recycle is Canada's leading organization for the collection and recycling of batteries and battery-powered products. As a trusted steward for more than 400 members including producers of single-use and rechargeable batteries Call2Recycle fulfills regulatory obligations while advancing a circular economy. The organization manages several leading programs, including Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! for household and e-bike batteries, Recycle Your Vapes for battery-powered vapes and e-cigarettes in Québec, and the voluntary EV Battery Recovery program for electric vehicle batteries, also in Québec. Call2Recycle operates provincially approved programs in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Québec, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia, and serves as a registered Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) in Ontario and Alberta. Its collection and recycling services cover household batteries (up to 5 kg) and e-transport batteries used in e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards, hoverboards, and electric vehicles (EVs). Since 1997, Call2Recycle has diverted more than 50 million kilograms of batteries from Canadian landfills. It is committed to excellence in environmental stewardship, holding certifications in globally recognized standards, including R2v3, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 9001. With a network of over 15,000 collection locations—including leading retailers and municipal sites—Call2Recycle is a trusted partner in building a cleaner, more sustainable Canada.
Cision Canada
24-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Call2Recycle Canada Releases its 2024 Annual Report, Celebrating a Second Consecutive Record-Breaking Year for Battery Recycling Français
TORONTO, June 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Call2Recycle, Canada's leading battery collection and recycling organization, today released its 2024 Annual Report, highlighting a landmark year in its mission to advance battery recycling across the country. Canadians recycled 6.8 million kg of used batteries in 2024, a significant 17% increase over 2023, marking an incredible record in the organization's history. This milestone helped Call2Recycle surpass a remarkable 50 million kilograms of batteries collected since its inception in 1997. The report also details the successful launch of Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!, a new national awareness program led by Canadian soccer legend and program ambassador Christine Sinclair. The initiative helped increase public education and motivate battery recycling participation, both through major digital and TV awareness campaigns and through multiple local community events. The program itself experienced considerable growth throughout 2024, adding over 2,800 new battery collection sites across the country to reach 15,000 collection sites, and allowing 90% of Canadians to have easy, convenient access to battery recycling within 15 km of their homes. Call2Recycle also drove up battery recycling in new regions and sectors, with the launch of its new program for household batteries in Nova Scotia and the securing of approval for its dedicated e-transport battery program in British Columbia, leading the charge in the responsible recycling of entire e-bike devices including the batteries. To keep pace with this growth, Call2Recycle expanded its infrastructure, introducing North America's first Smart Battery Containers, equipped with thermal and fill-level sensors to enhance safety and efficiency. The organization also scaled its transport, sorting, and processing partner network to manage increasing battery volumes across the country, substantially increasing the program's efficiencies while reducing costs and supporting the Canadian economy. "As Canadians, we are more committed than ever to protecting our environment and building a strong circular economy," said Joe Zenobio, President of Call2Recycle Canada. "The achievements in 2024 reflect the power of partnerships, from governments and municipalities to businesses and individual citizens, working together to make battery recycling part of everyday life. We are very proud to see our program experience such success and we will continue driving up battery recycling from coast to coast to help Canadians recycle even more batteries." Battery recycling is an essential pillar of Canada's sustainability effort to build a strong circular economy and protect the environment. Call2Recycle continues to lead efforts to boost participation, encouraging all Canadians to follow the simple three-step process: " Collect, Protect, Drop-Off", at least every three months. To find your nearest drop-off location, visit About Call2Recycle Canada, Inc. For more information, please visit our website: Call2Recycle is Canada's leading organization for the collection and recycling of batteries and battery-powered products. As a trusted steward for more than 400 members including producers of single-use and rechargeable batteries Call2Recycle fulfills regulatory obligations while advancing a circular economy. The organization manages several leading programs, including Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! for household and e-bike batteries, Recycle Your Vapes for battery-powered vapes and e-cigarettes in Québec, and the voluntary EV Battery Recovery program for electric vehicle batteries, also in Québec. Call2Recycle operates provincially-approved programs in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Québec, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia, and serves as a registered Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) in Ontario and Alberta. Its collection and recycling services cover household batteries (up to 5 kg) and e-transport batteries used in e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards, hoverboards, and electric vehicles (EVs). Since 1997, Call2Recycle has diverted more than 50 million kilograms of batteries from Canadian landfills. It is committed to excellence in environmental stewardship, holding certifications in globally recognized standards, including R2v3, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 9001. With a network of over 15,000 collection locations—including leading retailers and municipal sites—Call2Recycle is a trusted partner in building a cleaner, more sustainable Canada.
Toronto Star
06-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Energizer, Duracell and Panasonic fined millions for missing Ontario battery recycling targets
Three of the biggest names in household batteries are facing fines of nearly $3 million for failing to meet recycling targets in Ontario for 2023. Energizer and Duracell will each have to pay $1 million to the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) — which oversees recycling in the province — the highest amount that a company can be fined under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, the provincial regulation that governs recycling. Panasonic, which received a leader in sustainability award for 2024 from Call2Recycle Canada, the non-profit organization responsible for recycling batteries on the companies' behalf, was fined $781,725. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'We are disappointed with the regulator's decision,' said Joe Zenobio, president of Call2Recycle Canada, in an email. 'The three battery producers are actively moving toward appealing the RPRA's decision, which is viewed as punitive and unwarranted. 'We are confident that we have gone above and beyond what is required to increase collection rates in Ontario,' said Zenobio. 'Educating the public on recycling batteries and building the proper infrastructure from collection to recycling activities is a process that takes time, and we remain committed to it on behalf of our producer members.' All three companies recycled 19 per cent of the single-use batteries, such as AA or AAA, they sold in the Ontario market in 2023, short of the target of 40 per cent, according to RPRA. 'The fines were necessary because Duracell, Energizer and Panasonic failed to meet their 2023 minimum recycling requirements for single-use batteries and all three producers were insufficiently responsive to our previous efforts to encourage their compliance with Ontario's recycling laws,' said the authority in an email. 'This action holds polluters accountable and ensures a level playing field for those battery producers who do follow Ontario's environmental laws,' said RPRA. The fines, issued by RPRA at the end of April, are millions of dollars less than what the companies would have paid to recycle enough batteries to meet the Ontario benchmark, according to the authority. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The fines are the first ones issued by RPRA since the provincial authority came into being in 2019 after the province downloaded the full cost of recycling onto the companies, manufacturers and distributors who supply and sell goods on the Ontario market, a cost that used to be shared with municipalities. The new model is referred to as producer responsibility. Battery companies had until April of last year to report their recycling data for 2023, which was the first year for which the authority was allowed to issue administrative penalties, or fines, under the provincial legislation. In an email to the Star, Panasonic said it has not decided how it will respond to the administrative penalty, 'as we are currently evaluating our options under the guidance of our external legal counsel. We are also actively co-ordinating with Call2Recycle.' Energizer said in an email that it had no comment. Duracell didn't provide a response to the Star. The companies have 15 days to appeal the fines, which were issued April 28. In written judgments, RPRA said the companies blamed unachievable targets set by the province for their inability to meet the recycling requirement for single-use batteries, as opposed to the recycling target for rechargeable ones, which are larger and easier to collect. The companies met the recycling target for rechargeable batteries of 40 per cent. This year, after public consultations that included industry input, the provincial government removed the separate recycling targets for single-use and rechargeable batteries and created one overall target of 45 per cent for 2025 and 50 per cent for 2026 and beyond. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW All three battery companies pointed to the change in government regulation going forward as an indication that the 40 per cent recycling target for single-use batteries was unjust. Energizer said the change in regulation was 'a clear acknowledgment of the existing deficiencies of the recycling regulations' and 'those changes are an acknowledgment that the existing framework required revisions,' according to the RPRA report. Zenobio said in the email that having two different categories for battery collection — single-use and rechargeable — 'not only made compliance unnecessarily complex but also failed to recognize the collective efforts and results of the industry, being burdensome and counterproductive. 'As a result, despite strong overall performance, Ontario's unique regulatory structure meant that the province's requirements were not met,' he said. In 2020, the province had a 47 per cent diversion rate for single-use batteries, according to Stewardship Ontario, which used to oversee recycling for producers when the cost was still shared with municipalities. Rechargeable-battery recycling wasn't measured under that system. RPRA says the money from the fines will offset the cost of recycling programs in the province. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW But paying the fines won't make the battery companies complaint with the legislation. RPRA said it an email that it 'also has the power to prosecute non-compliant producers for failing to meet their regulatory requirements,' convictions that could result in fines of up to $250,000 each day a corporation is non-compliant and $500,000 a day for each subsequent conviction. The authority said it couldn't divulge it's compliance strategy or speculate on any 'enforcement action we may or may not take.'
