Take It Back
Have you ever wondered why you can drop-off a TV for free recycling but not the TV cabinet? Or why tires are accepted with open arms but your front bumper isn’t?
Meet Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs. British Columbia is home to several of these programs, where provincial regulation mandates item producers or stewardship groups to take back certain items for recycling or safe disposal. The Recycling Regulation, under authority of the Environmental Management Act, sets out the requirements for product stewardship in BC.
Year-round drop-off options
The stewardship groups below partner with local recycling depots and retailers to provide residents with free and convenient drop-off options for their items, all year long:
| Items | Drop off locations |
|---|---|
| Motor oil, oil filters and containers, antifreeze, and antifreeze containers | Interchange Recycling |
| Batteries (household) | Call2Recycle |
| Batteries (lead acid) | Canadian Battery Association Interstate Batteries |
| Small appliances and power tools | ElectroRecycle (Canadian Electrical Stewardship Association) |
| Beverage containers | Encorp Pacific Return-It Brewers Recycling Container Collection Council |
| Electronics | Electronic Products Recycling Association |
| Thermostats | Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute Of Canada |
| Large appliances | Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable |
| Electric outdoor power equipment | Outdoor Power Equipment Institute Of Canada |
| Lightbulbs, lamps, paints, solvents, stains, pesticides, flammable liquids, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors | Product Care Recycling |
| Internet and Telecommunications Equipment | Telus Communications Inc. Shaw Communications Inc. |
| Packaging and printed paper | Recycle BC |
| Pharmaceuticals | Health Products Stewardship Association |
| Motor vehicle and agricultural tires | Tire Stewardship BC |
During the annual Household Hazardous Waste Plus Collection Event, the Township also collaborates with many of these stewards to ensure items are recycled or disposed of responsibly after the event.
Make the most of EPR programs
Do you have a few of these items at home? Search our What Goes Where tool to find a nearby drop-off location or contact the Recycling Council of BC through the Recyclepedia search, phone, text, chat, or email.
More information
Learn more about EPR or check out the annual reports and collection plans put forward by each of the stewards to the provincial government by visiting the provincial Extended Producer Responsibility webpage.