COQUITLAM, B.C., October 21, 2026 – Coquitlam is launching a new battery recycling program in partnership with Call2Recycle, giving residents a safe and convenient way to dispose of household batteries.  

From December 8  to 11, Coquitlam residents who receive curbside collection from the City can set out eligible household batteries for pick-up the day after their regular collection day. The program accepts consumer dry cell batteries weighing less than 5 kg each. Examples include common single-use alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D and 9 volt), lithium ion, nickel cadmium and more. See coquitlam.ca/battery for a full list of acceptable batteries.   

Batteries can cause fires if they are disposed of improperly, and should never be placed in the trash, regular recycling bins or organics carts. Eligible residents can take advantage of this program to dispose of batteries in a convenient, safe and environmentally friendly way at no additional cost. 

Residents who do not receive curbside collection from the City can still recycle their batteries safely at designated drop-off locations. Visit Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! to find a location near you, or use the Waste Wizard search tool at coquitlam.ca/recycling to find out how and where to dispose of batteries safely.

How The Program Works 

Participating in the curbside battery collection pilot is easy:

• Collect your batteries. Set aside accepted household batteries in preparation for the collection week. 
• Protect terminals. Place tape over the terminals (ends) of your batteries to prevent sparks. Use clear packing tape, electrical tape or duct tape. Do not use masking tape, painter’s tape or scotch tape. 
• Bag your batteries. Place the batteries in a clear plastic bag and securely close it. Battery collection bags will also be available for pickup at the Engineering and Customer Service counter on the main floor at Coquitlam City Hall (3000 Guildford Way).
• Set out your batteries. The day after your regular collection day, place your bag of batteries on top of your empty Garbage or Green Cart and set the Cart at the curb by 7:30 a.m.    Either Cart can be used, but it must be empty to help prevent attracting wildlife.
• Crews will pick up your batteries. The empty waste cart will signal to the collection crews to stop at your property and collect the batteries for proper sorting and recycling.

Call2Recycle Partnership 

Coquitlam has partnered with Call2Recycle to offer this service at no cost to residents or the City. Founded in 1997, Call2Recycle is a national not-for-profit organization that manages the safe collection and recycling of batteries and battery-powered products, helping producers meet their recycling obligations and supporting Canada’s circular economy.  

Media contacts:

Nichelle Cameron 
City of Coquitlam, Manager Solid Waste and Special Projects 
604-927-4300
WasteReduction@coquitlam.ca

Jon McQuaid
Call2Recycle Vice President, Marketing and Communications 
+1 (647) 484-2672
media@call2recycle.ca

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.