Quebec-based Lowe's Canada announced it recently received a Leader in Sustainability award from Call2Recycle in recognition of the company’s commitment to battery recycling. This award recognizes the contributions of partners that play a significant role in diverting these products from landfills.
In 2019, 255,736 pounds of batteries were recovered thanks to the recovery units installed in Lowe's and Lowe’s-affiliated stores across the country, making the Lowe's Canada network one of the program's highest-performing partners.
"We are pleased to offer our customers a place where they can easily and safely dispose of their used batteries," Jean-Sébastien Lamoureux, senior vice president of public affairs, asset protection and sustainable development at Lowe's Canada, says. "Our battery recycling program is part of a larger plan aimed at reducing the environmental impact of our operations. As a large company, we firmly believe it is our responsibility to do the right thing to protect the natural heritage of future generations, and we plan on continuing to launch meaningful programs and initiatives to this end."
"Since 2001, the Lowe's Canada network has contributed to the diversion of over 1,906,998 pounds of batteries from landfills," Joe Zenobio, president of Call2Recycle, says. "We are grateful to count on the support of this major partner that allows us, year after year, to hit new collection target records and, consequently, contribute to the protection of wildlife, the environment and our communities."
In addition to the recovery of batteries, Lowe's Canada says it has rolled out a number of programs aimed at recovering products that would pose a danger to the environment if they were to end up in landfills. In 2019, the organization recovered around 5,996,573 pounds of paint and 211,643 pounds of compact fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes. Additionally, Lowe’s Canada prioritizes the recovery and recycling of various types of residual materials such as cardboard, paper, plastic, wood and metal.
To reduce the impact of its activities on the environment, Lowe's Canada also has set a target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below its 2016 levels by 2030. To achieve this, the organization announced earlier this year an investment of over $24 million to carry out initiatives to improve the energy efficiency of its corporate stores and distribution centers across the country.