Power up! Bigger and better battery recycling at VGH

Thanks to Gord McConnell and the energy and efforts of our Biomedical Engineering team, VGH has diverted batteries from landfills for many years. In 2012 alone, we recycled more than 4,500 kg of batteries — that’s roughly equivalent to the weight of one adult Asian elephant! With Gord’s and your help, we plan to recycle even more in 2013.

New battery recycling boxes at a location near you

Call2Recycle Battery Recycling Box

Starting February 28, we’re making it easier than ever to recycle batteries. Our Call2Recycle program increases thenumber of locations where batteries can be dropped off for recycling, and it streamlines the process for removal.  Call2Recycle battery boxes like the one pictured at right will be located strategically across VGH to maximize convenience and use.

Recycling keeps units clean, safe and healthy

Recycling is good for the environment and yet another way we can keep our units clean, safe and healthy. As part of our ongoing efforts to prevent patients from acquiring infections like C. difficile, all battery boxes forJim Pattison and Centennial Pavilion units will be located in the soiled utility rooms.  That way, battery boxes won’t interfere with our work to keep patient care areas clutter-free.

“C. difficile and other bugs can spread easily from unwashed hands or contaminated surfaces and equipment,” says  Goldie Luong, director, special projects. “Because recycling helps keep our units clutter-free, this program supports our efforts to maintain units inhospitable to C. difficile. Locating battery boxes in soiled utility rooms provides that extra level of assurance.”

How to recycle batteries in three easy steps

Battery boxes come with full instructions. In short, here’s how to use them:

1. Check: Recycling boxes accept virtually – but not all! – batteries. Does yours weigh less than 5 kg?
2. Bag: Bag your used battery before placing in the box;  this protects batteries from reacting with each other.
3. Call: When boxes are half full, call the housekeeping group that services your building – ARAMARK at 604-694-6316 or Compass at 604-418-1369

For more information on battery recycling box locations or how batteries are recycled, contact VCHRecycling@vch.ca.