Why can't Montrealers recycle batteries?

Here’s one that really sticks in my craw, and it is courtesy of the same public official who prefers to promote the polluting car culture and ban wood stoves. How could it be that this man is responsible for Montreal’s Sustainability efforts?

I think DeSousa’s name should be changed to “DeSucksaLot”:

Source: Montreal Gazette

Montreal retailers got an unpleasant jolt this week when the city announced that its six Éco-centres would no longer accept dead batteries from local business owners.

Provincial law requires pharmacies, convenience stores and other retailers to come up with their own system to dispose of used batteries brought back by their customers, says Alan DeSousa, the city executive committee member responsible for sustainable development.

“It’s only reasonable that they be a part of the solution by being willing to take back the products and dispose of them properly themselves,” he said.

“We’re quite willing to take (batteries) on an individual basis, but when the city becomes the focus of an organized dump of these materials by businesses, the taxpayers bear the burden.”

Some merchants have complained the new rules may prompt more consumers to give up and toss their exhausted Energizers into the trash.

Despite public education campaigns, the provincial government estimates 94 per cent of batteries in Quebec are thrown out with the household waste. The batteries can contaminate landfills.

In addition to the six existing Éco-centres that accept hazardous waste, Montrealers can drop off batteries at borough halls, recreation centres and fire stations across the city, DeSousa said.

As for the small business owners, they’ll need to find a new method for dumping dead batteries, he said.

Tip of the hat: green514.com