“We’re incredibly proud of our community for stepping up and participating in this pilot program,” said Mandi Parker, GM of Waste and Environment for the City of Lethbridge. “Residents helped divert more than 3,000 kilograms of batteries from our landfill, which is a huge win for our community and environment.”
The effort positions Lethbridge as an early adopter within Alberta’s Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! program, launched earlier this year by the Alberta Recycling Management Authority. While the province maintains an expanding network of drop-off sites, curbside collection removes persistent barriers to proper disposal—particularly for lithium-ion batteries, which continue to raise fire and contamination risks when placed in regular waste streams.
“Lethbridge took a bold step in being the first to bring curbside battery recycling to households across an Alberta city,” said Joe Zenobio, President & CEO of Call2Recycle Canada. He noted that early participation appears strong and is likely to rise as more residents become familiar with the service.
Battery-related waste fires have increased across North America in recent years, prompting municipalities to evaluate new programs that reduce contamination in blue bins and landfills. Research from the U.S. EPA and waste authorities in states such as California and Minnesota shows that lithium-ion battery incidents are one of the fastest-growing operational hazards in material recovery facilities. Similar concerns are emerging in Canadian jurisdictions, making Alberta’s curbside pilot a timely test case for safer pathways.
For Lethbridge, the next step is an evaluation of program performance and resident feedback to shape an expanded 2026 collection effort. City officials expect participation to grow alongside broader public education efforts on battery hazards and recycling options.
Call2Recycle, which has diverted more than 55 million kilograms of batteries from Canadian landfills since 1997, now serves more than 500 municipalities nationwide. The organization says curbside programs could help communities achieve higher recovery rates as extended producer responsibility frameworks continue to evolve.
