June 21 is a meaningful day across Canada. It’s National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to celebrate and honour the cultures, traditions, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Canada. It’s also the summer solstice, marking the longest day of the year and the official start of summer. For many Indigenous communities, this day holds deep cultural significance and is a time for gathering, celebration, and connection with the land.
At Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!, we believe that protecting the environment is a responsibility we all share. That includes making sure battery recycling is accessible to everyone, no matter where they live. Over the years, we’ve been lucky to work with incredible partners in First Nations and remote communities across the country to help make that happen.
British Columbia
We’re proud to be part of the Stewardship Agencies of BC (SABC), working alongside 12 other recycling organizations to support battery recycling in remote First Nations communities. With help from the Indigenous Zero Waste Technical Advisory Group (IZWTAG) and the First Nations Recycling Initiative (FNRI), we are helping bring more awareness, resources, and access to recycling services across the province.
Manitoba
Some northern communities in Manitoba are primarily accessible by seasonal ice roads during the winter, and we want to make sure they’re not left out when it comes to battery recycling. To support recycling in these areas, we’ve partnered with other Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) to provide collection boxes and educational materials for local events and year-round use — helping ensure no community is left out.
Quebec
In Nunavik, where road access is limited, we’re collaborating with other PROs and the Kativik Regional Government (KRG) to bring battery recycling to 14 northern villages. Together, we are coordinating collection operations and outreach to ensure the services are available and adapted to the region’s needs.
Recycling used batteries might seem like a small thing, but it makes a big impact. It helps prevent fires at waste processing facilities, and keeps harmful materials out of landfills, preserving Canada’s environment for generations to come.
Indigenous communities have long led the way in caring for the land, and we are honoured to support and learn from that legacy. Let’s keep working together to protect the places we all call home.
