Retailer Take Back Programs

To help reduce our environmental impact, many retailers have begun to offer voluntary recycling programs for a variety of materials. See the list below for items that you can help keep out of our landfills!

Alkaline Batteries

Currently there is no province-wide recycling program for alkaline (non-rechargeable) batteries used commonly in flashlights, radios or children's toys. Retailers who collect alkaline batteries for free recycling include:
Best Buy
Future Shop
IKEA recycling program

Automotive Batteries

Automotive (lead-acid) batteries are recycled as part of a provincially regulated recycling program. Retailers are encouraged by the Ministry of Environment to accept at least one used battery in return for each retail battery sold. This take-back program is voluntary, but a majority of retailers are accepting used batteries. Contact your local automotive battery retailer to inquire.

For more information about the provincially regulated recycling program for automotive batteries please visit Product Stewardship - Lead-Acid Batteries

Compact Florescent (CFL) Bulbs

CFLs contain small amounts of mercury vapor and must be handled and disposed of cautiously. Though there is not yet a provincially regulated program for these products, certain retailers voluntarily collect CFL bulbs for recycling.

To find participating retailers near you:
BC Hydro - CFL
IKEA recycling program

Cell Phones

There are many different return-to-retailer programs for cell phones. Most collection programs donate at least a portion of the proceeds to charity.
Recycle My Cell
Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation
Charitable Recycling

CDs

Compact discs (cds) and DVDs can be recycled through the Greentec bin collection system at all Future Shop and Best Buy locations.

For more information and to find your nearest location:
Future Shop
Best Buy

Clothing

All Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) stores collect specific polyester garments for remanufacturing. For more information about the program visit the MEC website.

Electronics

Household electronics such as cameras, mp3 players and DVD players can be returned to specific retailers for recycling. For the details and restrictions on each collection program, please visit the following retailer's websites for more information:

London Drugs - any electronics originally purchased at London Drugs, including home audio/visual equipment (VCR/DVD players, stereos etc.)
Future Shop - portable audio/video devices (CD, DVD, Mp3 players) and cell phones
Best Buy - portable audio/video devices (CD, DVD, Mp3 players) and cell phones
Canon - cameras, camcorders and binoculars

Eye Glasses

Check with your local optometrist or optical retailer to inquire about reuse options. Many will accept reusable glasses to donate locally, overseas and to developing nations.

For more information on organizations collecting eye glasses in BC, please visit:
Third World Eye Care Vision Society Canada
Canadian National Institute for the Blind

Medications

The provincially regulated medications return program allows consumers to return (at no charge) unused or expired medications to over 90% of participating pharmacies in the province. Included in this program are all prescription and non-prescription medicines, as well as herbal products, mineral and vitamin supplements and throat lozenges.

To find participating pharmacies near you:
Post Consumer Pharmaceutical Stewardship Association

For more information about provincial stewardship regulations:
BC Product Stewardship - Pharmaceuticals

Packaging

Various retailers have taken a proactive approach towards recycling product packaging and offer collection services for specific materials. For more information on each program, visit the websites listed below.

London Drugs - What is the Green Deal?
Save-On-Foods Changes Recycling Centre
Choices Market - Recycling

Plastic Bags

Several retail outlets, including London Drugs, Safeway, Save-On-Foods and Wal-Mart, offer a collection system for recycling plastic shopping bags.

To find participating retailers near you:
www.myplasticbags.ca

Rechargeable Batteries

The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) recycles nearly all rechargeable batteries, including Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion), Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn), and Small Sealed Lead (Pb). These batteries are commonly found in cell phones, power tools and laptop computers. RBRC collects batteries from nearly 20 different retail chains across Canada and the US.

To find participating retailers near you:
Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation

Small Appliances

London Drugs is an industry leader when it comes to responsible recycling. They will take-back electronics and appliances purchased at their stores, including small appliances such as toasters and coffee makers, as well as any electronics or packaging materials.

For more information and to find your nearest location:
London Drugs - What is the Green Deal?

Tires

There is a province-wide recycling program for passenger car and truck tires run by Tire Stewardship BC; a non-profit organization formed to manage the scrap tire recycling program on behalf of tire retailers in BC. The program collects an Advance Disposal Fee, commonly referred to as an eco fee, on the sale of every new tire. Most tire retailers will accept up to 4 off-rim tires per visit for free.

To find participating retailers near you:
Tire Stewardship BC - registered retailers

For more information about provincial stewardship regulations:
BC Product Stewardship - Tires

Used Oil / Filters / Containers

BC implemented a used oil recycling program in the summer of 2003 that is managed by the BC Used Oil Management Association (BCUOMA).

This provincially regulated program has a network of approximately 500 return collection facilities for safe disposal of used oil, used oil filters and empty oil containers for free drop off.

For more information and to find participating retailers near you:
BC Used Oil Management Association

For more information about provincial stewardship regulations:
BC Product Stewardship - Used Oil / Filters / Containers