Edmonton, Alberta — The province of Alberta is reportedly expanding its recycling program with the long-term goal of recycling electric vehicle batteries.
The updated recycling program, which will begin to be phased in April 2025, will start by seeing power tools, lawn and garden equipment, small appliances and household electronics like cell phones start to be recycled.
Alberta’s regulated electronics recycling program only takes computer equipment and televisions. Only Quebec currently has a voluntary and unregulated EV battery recycling system.
On Tuesday, the Alberta Government made an announcement at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre detailing that it will further contribute a $250,000 investment to install an artificial intelligence-powered x-ray system at the centre that will scan and identify material for hazardous waste, such as embedded batteries.
According to CTV News, Environment and Protected Areas Minister Rebecca Shulz announced in a statement that “we’re not just focused on what Albertans want to recycle today, but also what they are going to want to recycle 20 years from now.”
