Waste Free Toronto

Send your Electronics to a Better Place

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is a growing problem in Canada. It includes computers, cell phones (and their cables and batteries), TVs, printers, stereos and speakers. The heavy metals, flame retardants and rare minerals in e-waste can be extremely harmful to the environment and human health. Some estimate that e-waste only makes up 4% of the waste stream, but it accounts for 70% of the toxic pollution in our landfills.

The best thing is to keep e-waste out of landfill. Repair your old electronics if you can still use them, or donate or sell them to someone who can use them. But if it’s definitely not fix-able, send your e-waste to be safely recycled by the City.

Challenge: 

• Repair, reuse or recycle your old electronics. Upload a photo in the comments below and tell us about it!
  
  

How to recycle your e-waste

• If you live in a house, just set out your e-waste on garbage day. Use the green bag delivered with your waste calendar, or put the waste in a box by the curb (best to put out a number of things at once).

• If you live in an apartment or condo, talk with your building manager about getting an e-waste collection spot for the whole building. When it's full, they just call the City for collection.

• You can drop off e-waste (and other special waste) at Community Environment Days held across Toronto in the spring, summer and fall. Community Environment Days are held in each ward, ensuring that residents in all parts of the City have a nearby location to safely handle waste. Find out when your local event is on the City website.

Did you recycle or reuse your old electroncis? Send us a photo and tell us about it below!