Electronics recycling in BC has come a long way.
The Return-It Electronics program operates on behalf of the Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA) and the Recycle My Electronics program. Recycle My Electronics is a national not-for-profit dedicated to the recycling of end-of-life-electronics. The program ensures all collected electronics get recycled in a safe, environmentally sound manner
here in BC.
The recycling process is easy for British Columbians like you. All you need to do is drop off your unwanted electronics at a collection site. From there, Return-It Electronics sorts all the collected items and sends them off to EPRA approved recycling facilities for dismantling. All materials are separated into different streams to recover metals, plastics, glass and natural resources so they can be processed into new products in an environmentally friendly, safe way. This also keeps these materials out of landfills and safe from illegal exportation.
Canada’s Most Inclusive
Back in 2007, the Return-It Electronics program only accepted five categories of recyclable electronics—desktop computers and monitors, notebook computers, desktop printers, fax machines, and televisions. It was a good start, but 2010 is when real change began. Return-It Electronics underwent a large-scale expansion: the number of acceptable electronics rose from five to ten, and over a hundred collection sites were set up across BC.
In 2018, we’re doing even better. Today it’s not just TVs and computers British Columbians are saving from the landfill—it’s e-toys, medical equipment, and even musical instruments. With fifteen product categories, Return-It Electronics is the most inclusive electronic recycling program in Canada.
You Make a Difference
The number of electronic products BC saves from the landfill gets higher every year. What started off as a small recycling initiative has grown so much that awareness of electronics recycling has reached three quarters of the population—a huge win for the environment.