Unplugged, British Columbia's new Small Appliance Recycling Program. Source: CNW Group/CESA
A few days ago, the Canadian Electrical Stewardship Association (CESA) introduced a new non-profit recycling program to begin October 1st, 2011 with over 100 convenient drop off locations across the province of British Columbia. Broken or used small appliances can now be recycled, diverting about two million items from landfills and helping to reduce pollution, save energy, and protect the environment.
Residents can take useless, unwanted or cluttering items to the drop-off sites where more than 120 types of small appliances are accepted. Visit the Unplugged website to find a location. Hair dryers, table fans, electric toothbrushes, microwave ovens, toaster ovens, blenders, coffee makers and clocks are among the list of welcomed items. Those not taken by the Unplugged locations include appliances not powered by electricity or batteries, large appliances such as dishwashers, ovens, washers and dryers, or built-in appliances such as wired in ceiling fans. A small fee is asked of consumers when dropping off their appliances. This fee helps offset collection, recycling and transportation costs to implement the service.
“This is a welcome addition to B.C.’s industry-managed and funded recycling programs,” said Brock Macdonald, Executive Director, Recycling Council of British Columbia. “By diverting small appliances from municipal waste streams, Unplugged will recover valuable resources, promote conservation and reduce waste management costs for local governments throughout the province.”
Source: CESA
Unplugged is the first small appliance recycling program of its kind in Canada. By recycling materials such as aluminum, which takes 95 per cent less energy to recycle than it does to make it from raw materials, or steel, which uses 74 per cent less energy, the energy savings will mount up rapidly.
This program follows on the already successful industry-managed BC recycling programs, which in 2007 alone diverted 121,000 tons of solid waste and reduced 267,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of removing 72,950 passenger cars off B.C. roadways each year. Bravo, British Columbia!
Take Part
If you’re a BC resident, you can immediately begin to take part in this new program. People who reside in other parts of the world can check their area for similar recycling programs, or contact your local city and government officials to encourage getting one started.
Search your home for broken small appliances or items you haven’t used in awhile. No need to keep things if you don’t intend on putting them to use, or if you have multiples of the same type of item stashed away in the garage or a back room, declutter your home by taking them to the appropriate recycle locations. Clean off food from toasters, microwaves and other appliances beforehand.
Search out clutter free organizing services, such as those in California, to get ideas on options for recycling, reorganizing and saving both cost and energy.
Talk to your family about other ways you can unplug, reduce clutter and recycle unwanted household items. Have a small appliance “treasure hunt” party at your own home to locate such items, or plan a block party to help collect these items around the neighborhood. Decorate a cake with the small appliance recycle logo or just use green icing for an added touch, and give out pieces to everyone who participates.
