Canadians can make a powerful difference during Daylight Savings Time

When citizens turn back their clocks on November 1st, RONA and Call2Recycle remind them to turn in their batteries!

TORONTO, Oct. 26, 2015 /CNW/ - This Fall, Call2Recycle, Canada's national consumer battery recycling organization, and RONA, a major Canadian retailer and distributor of hardware, building materials and home renovation products, encourage Canadians to take some extra steps to keep their near and dear ones safe while making a positive impact on the environment.

''We acknowledge the important role stewardship programs, such as Call2Recycle Canada, have in helping our stores and customers manage end-of-life products in a way so as to minimise the impact on the environment," said Christian Proulx, Senior Vice-President Human Resources and Communications Responsible for Sustainable Development, RONA.

"Call2Recycle is delighted to be partnering with RONA to encourage people to recycle batteries responsibly at the end of Daylight Savings Time," said Joe Zenobio, Executive Director, Call2Recycle Canada Inc.

With the end of Daylight Savings Time, as Canadians turn back their clocks on November 1^st, Call2Recycle urges residents to use the extra hour to take care of some important domestic matters which could make a huge difference and safeguard their homes:

1. Testing and changing the batteries in all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors is crucial to household safety. All too often, this important task doesn't make it onto 'to-do' lists as people being too wrapped up in their busy, daily routines.
2. Checking expiry dates for both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors does not take very long, but could be the difference between life and death. It is wrong to underestimate how important it is to have smoke alarms and detectors that work properly, for the safety of precious life and property.
3. Finally, properly disposing of the used batteries keeps them out of our landfills. Spent batteries and cellphones, along with other used batteries found in homes, like those from TV remotes, laptops, game consoles and power tools, can be conveniently dropped off at a participating RONA, RONA Home & Garden store, or Call2Recycle location that can be found at call2recycle.ca/locator. Call2Recycle recycles and reuses batteries for many useful products, such as silverware, golf clubs, new batteries and so much more, preserving valuable resources.

"The Call2Recycle drop-off locations will accept all household batteries," said Zenobio. "Conveniently located at national retailers like RONA, it's easy for residents to drop off their old batteries for recycling when they buy new ones." The collection network also includes government buildings and municipal depots. 

There are 7,000 collection sites across the country. Ninety-one per cent of Canadians now live within 15 kilometers of one. To locate a collection site or for more information, visit call2recycle.ca or call 1.888.224.9764.

About Call2Recycle Canada, Inc.
Call2Recycle Canada, Inc. is a non-profit organization that collects and recycles batteries at no cost for municipalities, businesses and consumers. Since 1997, Call2Recycle has diverted over 45 million kilograms of batteries and cellphones from the solid waste stream and established more than 7,000 collection sites throughout Canada. A leader in its field, Call2Recycle was built upon a commitment to environmental sustainability and meets or exceeds the most rigorous recycling standards for the safe recycling and management of batteries. Learn more at call2recycle.ca or call 1.888.224.9764.

SOURCE Call2Recycle

Image with caption: "CALL2RECYCLE (CNW Group/Call2Recycle)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151026_C9067_PHOTO_EN_44330.jpg

Tia Thomas, Consultant, Environics Communications, [email protected], [phone]; Sandra Abuwalla, Director, Marketing & Communications, Call2Recycle Canada, Inc., [email protected], [phone]