What can I do with my outdoor power equipment such as lawn mowers, weed wackers and wood chippers?

Empty refillable and non-refillable propane tanks are accepted at most landfills and transfer stations for recycling as scrap metal.

For recycling metal coat hangers, one option may be to go through a local dry cleaner or thrift store.

Empty aerosol spray cans, including those for food, air fresheners, shaving cream, hairspray and textile sprays, are included in a provincial recycling program, managed by Recycle BC. To ensure that any excess residue is eliminated, hold down the can’s nozzle and spray out the contents into an old rag until you do not hear any sound, not even air. Once the aerosol can is empty, many municipalities accept these items in the curbside recycling bin. For residents who do not have this option, these cans can be recycled free of charge at a number of recycling depots across the province. For more information on this program, visit the Recycle BC website, or contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline.

Many local landfills and transfer stations are equipped to recycle fridges and freezers. The units can also be picked up by private disposal companies for a fee, and a few municipalities in B.C. offer free pick-up of fridges and freezers.

Visit RCBC’s Recyclepedia for drop-off options or contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline for all options available in your community.

The Canadian Electrical Stewardship Association (CESA) manages a province-wide recycling program for small electrical appliances called ElectroRecycle, which includes countertop microwaves. Built-in or over-the-range microwaves, however, are not included in this program and are part of the Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable (MARR) program instead.

Visit the ElectroRecycle website for a list of drop off locations for countertop microwaves, or visit RCBC’s Recyclepedia or contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline for microwaves of all types.

Electrical appliances and power tools can be recycled through the ElectroRecycle program, which is run by the Canadian Electrical Stewardship Association (CESA). Small appliances can be dropped off for free at a number of ElectroRecycle depots across the Province. There are over 400 small appliances covered under the program.

For a complete list, visit the ElectroRecycle website. Visit RCBC’s Recyclepedia for drop-off options or contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline for all options available in your community.

Some municipalities offer bulky item pick-up services or spring clean-up programs for residents. Large appliances, such as washers, dryers and dishwashers, are usually included in these programs and can be picked up for free. Private recycling or disposal companies can also be hired to haul away the appliances for you. The BC Hydro “Fridge Buy-Back Program” has been permanently discontinued.

Visit RCBC’s Recyclepedia for drop-off options or contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline for all options available in your community.

The Automotive Recyclers’ Environmental Association (AREA) has developed a province-wide vehicle retirement program to ensure waste products from end-of-life vehicles are managed in accordance with all provincial and federal laws.

If your vehicle has been insured for the last 6 months, you may qualify for the BC SCRAP-IT program. This program offers a long list of incentives for trading in your old car, including: transit passes, bicycles, car-sharing memberships, or cash. Need more information?

Visit RCBC’s Recyclepedia for drop-off options or contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline for all options available in your community.

Many electronic items contain components that can cause environmental damage when thrown in the landfill. The ever-increasing amount of obsolete electronic equipment poses a real problem for solid waste management.

Need to recycle your old electronics? Visit RCBC’s Recyclepedia for drop-off options or contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline for all options available in your community.