ElectroRecycle is Canada’s first and only small appliance and power tool recycling program
In British Columbia, ElectroRecycle accepts more than 400 types of small appliances and power tools for recycling at select depots, recycling centers, thrift stores, municipal facilities, retailers and community events. With more than 200 free drop-off locations province-wide, there’s one near you. Use our recycling locator to find your nearest location.
What products are accepted?
Small Appliances
Power Tools
Oversized Items*
*Not accepted at all recycling locations
Must be electrical – plug in and/or run on batteries
Must be intended for residential use (not commercial)
View all accepted productsWhat happens to the small appliances and power tools I drop off for recycling?
Download this graphic
for your reference
What about batteries?
If the batteries in your accepted product are integrated or difficult to remove, we’ll happily accept your product as-is. The same goes for any accessories relating to the product.
A note about what you can’t recycle
Believe it or not, there are some things you can’t drop off at a recycling location:
- Appliances not powered by electricity or batteries
- Appliances designed for commercial or industrial use
- Appliances still containing food residue, liquids or vacuum bags
- Built-in appliances (e.g. ceiling fans, central vacuums)
- For recycling over-the-range microwaves, visit MARR
- For recycling large appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers and other “white goods” visit MARR
- For recycling electronics (e.g. computers, televisions, stereos) visit Return-It Electronics
Recycle electronics such as TVs, laptops and printers with EPRA
Recycle large appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners and water coolers with MARR
Recycle batteries with Call2Recycle
Recycle cell phones through Recycle My Cell
If you have other items to recycle, contact the RCBC recycling hotline at 1-800-667-4321 or visit RCBC.ca
What are environmental handling fees?
As with most recycling programs, ElectroRecycle is funded by a small recycling fee applied to the sale of new electrical products such as small appliances, power tools, and exercise machines.
When you purchase any of the 400+ products we accept for recycling, you may see the fee added to your receipt or it may already be included in the price of the product.
- It’s not a tax. It is collected by CESA’s members, then is remitted to CESA, not the government, to fund the recycling program. The recycling fee covers all program costs: collection, transportation, recycling and public education about the program.
- It’s calculated by considering the expense to recycle a given item, weight, projected sales, and how much material is recyclable. That’s why different products have different fees. One item does not subsidize another.
- It’s not a deposit. While there’s no cost to drop off that old vacuum to the depot, unlike returning bottles, you won’t get your fee returned. Neither CESA nor its members make a profit from these fees. In fact, as of October 1, 2018 fees on almost all of the 400+ products were reduced. Greater efficiencies in collection, transportation and processing are being reflected in lower fees for consumers.
EHF Table
| Product Category | Fee Per Unit as of July 1st, 2015 | Fee Per Unit Effective October 1st, 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Countertop – Motorized Appliances | $0.50 | $0.50 |
| Kitchen Countertop – Heating Appliances | $0.80 | $0.80 |
| Kitchen Countertop – Heating Appliances (coffee/tea) | $0.70 | $0.70 |
| Microwave Ovens | $6.25 | $5.00 |
| Time Measurement & Display Devices | $0.40 | $0.20 |
| Weight Measurement | $0.40 | $0.30 |
| Garment Care Appliances | $0.70 | $0.60 |
| Air Treatment Appliances | $1.00 | $0.95 |
| Personal Care Appliances | $0.40 | $0.25 |
| Full-size Floor Cleaning Appliances | $2.50 | $2.50 |
| Smaller Floor/Surface Cleaning Appliances | $0.50 | $0.50 |
| Test and Measurement Tools | $0.50 | $0.35 |
| Hand-held Power Tools | $0.80 | $0.55 |
| Bench-top, Demolition, Free-Standing Power Tools | $2.20 | $1.20 |
| Sewing / Textile Machines | $2.75 | $2.75 |
| Exercise Machines | $2.60 | $1.85 |
| Sports, Leisure, Arts, Crafts, Hobby Devices | $0.75 | $0.75 |
| Designated Very Small Items | $0.20 | $0.20 |
