Batteries

The Batteries Regulation under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 designates batteries as the second material after tires under Ontario’s individual producer responsibility regulatory framework.

Individual producer responsibility makes producers accountable for their products and packaging once consumers are finished with them; sets mandatory and enforceable requirements for resource recovery; and gives producers choices for resource recovery services in a competitive market.

As of July 1, 2020, battery producers are individually accountable and financially responsible for collecting and reusing, refurbishing or recycling their batteries when consumers discard them.

The Batteries Regulation applies to the following types of batteries sold separately in Ontario (i.e. not embedded in products):

Single-use (primary) batteries weighing 5 kg or less
Rechargeable batteries weighing 5 kg or less

The following are examples of single-use and rechargeable batteries that fall under the Batteries Regulation:

Button cells
AA
AAA
C
D
9V
Lantern batteries
Sealed lead acid batteries
Replacement batteries for products (for example, drill, cell phone, laptop) that weigh 5 kg or less

The regulation does not apply to batteries sold with or in products (for example, batteries sold with or in drills, cell phones, laptops, toys, vapes, fire alarms); or batteries over 5 kg (for example, car batteries, forklift batteries, stationary batteries).

How does the Batteries Regulation affect you?

Click the headings below to learn more about your requirements.

A person is considered a battery producer under the Batteries Regulation if they supply batteries into Ontario and one of the following applies:

are the brand holder of the battery and have residency in Canada
have residency in Ontario and import batteries from outside of Ontario
have residency in Ontario and markets directly to consumers in Ontario (e.g. online sales)
do not have residency in Ontario and markets directly to consumers in Ontario (e.g. online sales)

Learn more about producers

A battery hauler is a person that arranges the transport of batteries used in Ontario that are destined for processing, reuse, refurbishing or disposal.
A battery refurbisher is a person that prepares or refurbishes used batteries for reuse for the purposes of resource recovery.
A battery processor is a person that processes batteries used in Ontario for the purposes of resource recovery.

Learn more about service providers

If you are a First Nation, municipality, retailer, or organization that collects batteries whether through a depot, collection events or on-site collection containers, you are not required to register or report as a collector under the Batteries Regulation. However, if you are also a battery producer or hauler, additional responsibilities may apply.

Learn more about collection site operators

A PRO is a business established to contract with producers to provide collection, management and administrative services to help producers meet their regulatory obligations under the Batteries Regulation, including:

Arranging the establishment or operation of battery collection and management systems (hauling, recycling, reuse or refurbishment services).
Establishing or operating a collection or management system
Preparing and submitting reports

Learn more about PROs

Wind-up of Stewardship Ontario’s program for Single-Use Batteries

On June 30, 2020, Stewardship Ontario ended its program for managing single-use batteries as part of the Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (“Orange Drop”) Program. Visit Stewardship Ontario’s website for information related to the wind up of the single-use battery program,

Questions related to the wind up of the single-use battery program can be sent to mhswwindup@stewardshipontario.ca.