More products will be eligible for province-wide recycling, including electric-vehicle batteries, mattresses, single-use fuel canisters and fire extinguishers as part of a five-year plan to advance recycling in British Columbia.
“Expanding the number of recyclable products will mean convenient, free collection of those products and a cleaner environment for British Columbians,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “Adding to the product list will reduce the waste that’s now being sent to the landfill or illegally dumped in back alleys or green spaces. This will protect our environment and boost our economy through an increase in recycling operations and re-manufacturing.”
Other items that will be added BC’s Recycling Regulation and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) strategy guide include more electronic products, such as solar panels, more types of lithium-ion batteries, electric-vehicle chargers, and e-cigarettes.
These changes will be phased in under the EPR Five-Year Action Plan to give producers time to set up the necessary systems.