Programs for the free drop off of small appliances and smoke detectors started across B.C. on October 1. Residents can now take back a wide array of small home electric appliances for free recycling. Items include end of life microwaves, irons, blenders, electric shavers, bathroom scales and vacuum cleaners. Old smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can also be recycled for free when replaced.
The small appliance program is supported by eco-fees from the purchase of new appliances. Unplugged accepts more than 120 small electrical appliances, ranging in size from electric toothbrushes to countertop microwave ovens. Products are divided into categories including: kitchen countertop, time measurement, weight measurement, garment care, air treatment, floor care and personal care.
Items that aren’t currently covered by the program include large appliances such as stoves, power tools such as drills, outdoor appliances such as lawn mowers and industrial equipment.
These types of appliances are slated to be fully recyclable sometime next year.
The smoke and carbon monoxide detector recycling program is called Alarm Recycle.
Residents can now take back small appliances, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to the J&C Bottle Depot in Penticton, the Osoyoos Bottle Depot, the Campbell Mountain Landfill, the Oliver Landfill, the Okanagan Falls Landfill and the Keremeos Landfill.
Doug French, RDOS Public Works Manager, expects some initial confusion on what is accepted and where to take items.
“Essentially any small kitchen, bathroom or house cleaning appliance with plugs or batteries can be recycled at registered depots for free,” explains French. “There are some exceptions so we advise residents to contact the Recycling Council of BC or the RDOS if they need more information.”
To contact the Recycling Council of BC call toll free 1-800-667-4321. The RDOS Solid Waste Department can be reached at 250-490-4129, toll free 1-877-610-3737 ext. 4129 or e-mail:info@rdos.bc.ca. The small appliance program website is www.unpluggedrecycling.ca and the smoke detector website is located at www.productcare.org.