Getting ready to do some spring cleaning, and wondering what to do with old small appliances that have had their day?
The Ashcroft Bottle Return-It Centre (bottle depot) on Railway Avenue is one of 20 new collection sites across B.C. that is now accepting a wide range of small appliances and tools, including microwaves, toaster ovens, coffee makers, blenders, hair dryers, vacuums, power tools, and more.
The Ashcroft site also accepts small electronic devices, including TVs and monitors, desktop computers and printers, IT and telecom equipment, video game systems and accessories, home audio-visual equipment, portable computers and computer accessories, non-cellular telephones and answering machines, and more.
The site is currently open for winter hours (Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) through March 31. Outside those hours, material can be deposited in bins at the side of the building; please do not just drop items by the door.
March 18 was Global Recycling Day, and the Electronic Producers Recycling Association is trying to spread the word that responsible recycling is more accessible than ever. In addition to the Ashcroft Return-It Centre, electronics and electrical products can be recycled for free at all Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) Eco-Depots, including the Boston Flats Eco-Depot between Cache Creek and Ashcroft and the Clinton Eco-Depot.
In fact, electronics and electrical devices such as computers and coffee makers are covered by the TNRD’s Mandatory Recyclable Material Bylaw, which was put in place to prevent recyclable materials from being landfilled or improperly disposed of.
It’s estimated that the Canadian home appliance market will grow by more than five per cent in the next five years, meaning that the need for responsible disposal solutions is more important than ever. Eight in ten Canadians say that they value a sustainable lifestyle, and more than half report that they would be willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly products, proving that sustainability is top of mind for consumers.
For more information about what electronics can be recycled at Return-It Centres, go to https://www.return-it.ca/electronics/recycling/. To learn more about what can be recycled at TNRD Eco-Depots and Transfer Stations, and what items are included in the TNRD’s Mandatory Recyclable Material Bylaw, go to https://www.tnrd.ca/services/garbage-recycling/.
