The Skeena — Queen Charlotte Regional District (SQCRD) has been awarded a Leader in Sustainability designation for its commitment to the recycling of batteries and cell phones through the Call2Recycle program.
The designation was accepted on behalf of the regional district by Tim Des Champ, recycling operations manager of the SQCRD on March 21.
Call2Recycle is a program of Rechargeable Battery Recycling, a non-profit public service organization that promotes environmental sustainability by providing free battery and cell phone recycling in North America.
“Thanks to support from organizations like yours, Call2Recycle had an extraordinary 2013. We diverted more than five million kilograms of batteries from landfills, a 12 per cent increase over 2012,” said Call2Recycle Canada executive director Joe Zenoobic in presenting the award.
“Your organization’s support has helped expand Call2Recycle networks so much that 89 per cent of the North American population now lives within 16 kilometres of a battery drop-off location.”
The regional district anticipates even more recyclable materials will be diverted from landfills in 2014 with the construction of a 24/7 recycling transfer station. That station is expected to be open in mid-May or early June.
“We are proud to be recognized for this program for a third year in a row. It is a reflection of the continued efforts of regional district residents toward building a sustainable and environmentally conscious community,” said regional district chair Barry Pages.
