Residents of Squamish, Furry Creek, and Britannia will have another opportunity to recycle batteries curbside in the week of November 3, 2025, the contractor, GFL Squamish, said in a press release.
The pilot program allows households to place batteries in plastic bags on top of their recycling totes for safe collection and recycling through Call2Recycle Canada. All types of batteries are accepted, including e-bike batteries. In addition to batteries, the program will collect small electronics such as laptops, cellphones, iPads, and handheld gaming devices powered by lithium batteries.
Residents must bag all items and place them visibly on top of their recycling tote. The tote will not be serviced for regular recycling during this collection, but its presence indicates participation in the battery collection team. GFL Squamish highlighted the safety risks associated with lithium batteries. “Lithium batteries are quickly becoming the major cause of household and waste facility fires,” the company stated in the release.
The program aims to reduce fire risks while increasing public awareness of the hazards posed by improperly disposed of batteries. Damaged E-batteries should not be left curbside and must be taken directly to a battery collection facility to prevent potential fires.
The public is also advised to follow safety precautions when using lithium batteries. Residents should avoid overcharging batteries, using aftermarket chargers, tampering with batteries, or disposing of them carelessly. Warning signs that a battery may be unsafe include unusual odours, heat, changes in colour or shape, leaking, or strange noises.
