Have old electronics and batteries?

It’s that time of year when you may have received new electronics as a gift or upgraded during Boxing Day sales. But do you know what to do with your old devices and batteries? The City of Vaughan is providing tips on how to correctly dispose of electronics and batteries to help reduce your household waste.

E-waste and batteries

E-waste (electronic waste) includes cellphones, cables, computers, televisions, DVD/Blu-ray players, headphones, video game consoles, printers, speakers and more. Bring electronic waste – including batteries, a household hazardous waste item – to the York Region Waste Depot at 130 McCleary Crt. in Vaughan for safe disposal. Never place electronic waste or batteries in the garbage or blue box as this is not collected curbside. Batteries and cell phones are also accepted for safe disposal at Vaughan Public Libraries.

Waste less

You can reduce e-waste today! Many of the parts that make up your electronics, like glass, gold, silver and copper, can be reused and made into another product. Here are actions to consider:

• Reduce e-waste by extending the life of your electronics. Buy a case, keep your device clean and avoid overcharging the battery.
• Donate gently used or old, but in good working condition, electronics to friends and family, a local charity or second-hand shop.
• Visit recyclemyelectronics.ca to search Vaughan’s nearest retail recycling location by postal code.

Not sure what waste bin an item belongs in? Check first by downloading the waste reduction app, Recycle Coach, through the Apple App Store or Google Play. The app provides waste-less tips and a personalized collection schedule with optional alerts on what to put to the curb each week. The City also offers an online sorting tool to quickly and easily check what item goes where using the search bar.

The City is temporarily pausing the purchase of new blue boxes, green bins and garbage tags from community centres during the facility closures. To purchase blue boxes, green bins, kitchen containers or garbage tags online, visit vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan. Sign up and pay through Service Vaughan and schedule a delivery for the bins or garbage tags to arrive right to your door. Home delivery fees are $2.50 per bin. You can also exchange damaged City-issued blue boxes and green bins through Service Vaughan. 

The City of Vaughan is a leader in waste management. Vaughan’s early commitment to York Region’s SM4RT Living Plan (Waste Management Master Plan) further strengthens that leadership. This plan identifies initiatives that set the stage for waste management to 2059 and beyond, focusing on the four Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle and recover – working toward building a circular economy and a world in which nothing goes to waste.

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