​Central York Fire Services (CYFS) has partnered with Call2Recycle, Canada’s leading battery collection and recycling organization, to offer smart battery recycling to Aurora and Newmarket residents with a drop-off container now available at each CYFS fire station. The collaboration aims to prevent battery-related fires and to protect people, property and the environment by promoting safe and responsible battery handling and recycling practices.

“We’re proud to partner with Call2Recycle to make it easier for Aurora and Newmarket residents to safely dispose of batteries,” says CYFS Fire Chief Rocco Volpe. “We’re committed to educating our community about ways to prevent fires and this gives our community an easy tool to keep their homes safer.”

Battery-related fires are a growing risk. When batteries are mishandled or discarded improperly, they could overheat and ignite, which has been known to cause residential fires. Central York Fire Services and Call2Recycle offers a few tips for safe battery use:

• If a battery isn’t holding a charge well, it’s a sign it’s reached its end-of-life 
• When batteries reach their end-of-life they need to be carefully handled and recycled. Never throw batteries into the trash or regular blue bins.  
• Batteries can cause sparks if they come in contact with debris.  
• Lithium batteries can be damaged in garbage trucks and cause fires at waste processing centres.  
• Store batteries in a cool, dry place in your home.  
• Never store new and used batteries together. 
• When storing used batteries, protect the terminals by covering them with clear packing tape, duct tape or electrical tape.  
• Drop off used batteries regularly. Every three months is ideal to avoid corrosion.  
• Call2Recycle’s cutting-edge Smart Containers offer a technology-driven solution designed to collect and store batteries safely.