De-clutter and save: BC Hydro encourages customers to recycle old electronics and small appliances
VANCOUVER — Now that the holiday season is over, BC Hydro is encouraging customers to recycle their old electronics and small appliances as a way to save energy and money.
With electronic items like laptops, televisions, and tablets, as well as small appliances being popular gifts for the holidays, many have older products they will no longer use. On top of creating clutter, if left plugged in, old electronics and appliances can contribute to a higher electricity bill by being a source of standby power. This can account for up to 10 per cent of a household’s electricity use. For example, an old television left plugged-in for one year uses enough electricity to wash about 119 loads of laundry.
BC Hydro customers looking to reduce post-holiday clutter, or who have recently upgraded small appliances or electronics can recycle most items for free at a local Return-It or ElectroRecycling depot.
Some of the accepted products at ElectroRecycling depots include:
- Small kitchen appliances, including blenders, kettles, coffee makers and toasters.
- Home appliances and devices, including digital alarm clocks, vacuums, and oil-filled space heaters.
- Personal appliances, such as hair dryers, curlers, and rechargeable toothbrushes.
- Power tools, such as drills, grinders and power saws.
Some of the accepted products at Return-It depots include:
- Home electronics, such as televisions, desktop and laptop computers, tablets, telephones, and electronic children’s toys.
For more information or to find a local recycling depot, visit electrorecycle.ca and return-it.ca.