Is it Recyclable?

What Happens to it:

We recycle appliances as steel. These items are sent to a trusted processor where they are crushed, shredded and returned to the steel mills for reuse in making new products.

Why Recycle

The steel in appliances is completely recyclable, so if it is sent to the landfill, it is removed from the cycle of use/reuse and takes up landfill space instead.

* Please note: Refrigerators and freezers are treated separately to safely dispose of chlorofluorocarbons or hydrochlorofluorocarbons.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice:

Small appliances, bikes, vacuums, tin cans, exercise equipment, barbecues

Large appliances/Propane Tanks

Refrigerators/freezers/watercoolers and other freon-using appliances (See Refrigerator section below for more info)

What Happens to it:

Household batteries are sent to a trusted partner who recycles the material safely.

Why Recycle

There have been limited options for the safe and environmentally responsible disposal of household batteries. We ensure these potentially hazardous items are disposed of in compliance with all relevant regulations and in a manner that has as little impact on the environment as possible.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

What Happens to it:

These items are sent to one of our trusted suppliers where they are safely recycled.

Why Recycle

They are called Lead Acid Batteries for obvious reasons. They are dangerous!

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

Free to Drop Off

What Happens to it:

These recyclables are sent to one of our trusted recycling partners. They process these materials into new consumer products such as boxboard products, duroid shingles, pressed packing material and corrugated cardboard liners.

Why Recycle

In municipalities where it has not been banned, cardboard is typically the largest single item of the solid waste stream. Fortunately the CRD has banned this highly recyclable item from the landfill. Cardboard is a high-quality paper product. As such, it can be used as a base to manufacture a wide variety of recycled paper products, including new cardboard, printing and writing papers, paperboard, boxboard, and many others. Keeping this material out of the waste stream will mean saving precious landfill space.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

Boxes, tubes, etc.

What Happens to it:

We accept carpet and underlay but we are no longer able to recycle them.

What We Do with it

Carpet and underlay are considered garbage and are transported to a registered landfill where they are safely landfilled in accordance with environmental and solid waste management regulations.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

What Happens to it:

Drywall is shipped by Ellice to one of our trusted partners who ensures the material is 100% recycled. The drywall is crushed and the paper is separated from the gypsum; both materials are reused in the manufacture of new drywall for the construction materials market. Did you know this product is banned from the landfill because it is recyclable?

Why Recycle

Drywall is a problem material for landfills. Hydrogen sulfide gas may be produced when gypsum is buried at the landfill, particularly in a wet climate. Hydrogen sulfide gas is toxic at high concentrations and has a foul, rotten-egg odor. Several communities in Canada, like the Capital Regional District, do not accept drywall at landfills for this reason. The incineration of drywall may produce toxic sulfur dioxide gas and thus is not a reasonable disposal option. After the drywall is recycled, it can be used as an ingredient in cement, a source of sulfur and calcium for crops in an agricultural land application or an amendment in composting systems.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

Before we can accept drywall:

Due to the concern of Asbestos, we are only able to accept untested drywall that shows a date stamp of 1990 at its oldest. Any drywall that is older than 1990 or any that doesn't show a date at all must come with documentation showing that your drywall is Asbestos free.

There are a number of sites in the Victoria area that test for Asbestos:

Maxxam Analytics: 250.385.6112
Northwest Environmental: 250.384.9695
Pacific Environmental Consulting: 250.380.3911
AREC Environmental: 778.351.1966
Sky Environmental: 250.474.5145

Bring the documentation that proves your drywall is Asbestos free with you to the Ellice facility when you are dropping off your drywall.

What Happens to it:

We have a special piece of equipment that safely crushes fluorescent tubes and CFLS and completely captures the mercury contained in the tube. We safely dispose of the crushed tubes to ensure the mercury does not reenter the environment.

Why Recycle

All fluorescent tubes contain a small amount of mercury which is necessary to help them operate. When fluorescent tubes are disposed of with regular garbage, the bulbs break and the mercury is released; mercury is environmentally persistent and known to cause serious health effects. Eventually the BC hazardous waste regulations will require the safe disposal of fluorescent tubes; we’ve put our system in place to begin the practice of safe disposal for our customers.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

What Happens to it:

We accept the large household garbage not accepted for curb-side pick collection. This helps reduce the number of couches left on the street, for example.

Note: Furniture made entirely of wood or pressboard is priced as wood, placed in the wood bin and recycled appropriately. No oversize fees are attached.

What we do with it

Furniture and other oversize items are first crushed in order to take up less space. They are then transported to a registered landfill where they are safely landfilled in accordance with environmental and solid waste management regulations.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

What Happens to it:

We take regular household garbage that would normally go for curb-side collection at our facility; we believe that our customers have gone through their waste and have picked out the recyclable (and banned) materials and what is left over is garbage.

What We Do with it

Garbage brought to our facility is transported to a registered landfill where it is safely landfilled in accordance with environmental and solid waste management regulations.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

What Happens to it:

These items are sent to one of our trusted suppliers where it is crushed and recycled into road aggregate and concrete products.

Why Recycle

For our local market, there are no glass manufacturers within reasonable shipping distance to reuse the glass we collect. Using the glass as an aggregate creates a premium product for the construction industry that reduces the demand for aggregate to be extracted from the earth.

*Please note: Window pane glass has a different fee that is listed separately

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

What Happens to it:

We have our own in-house process (and the only one in the CRD, by the way) for dismantling these mattresses and box springs to salvage and recycle the wood and metal they contain. We have been doing this since 2009 and have managed to divert 75% of this material from the landfill.

Why Recycle

Since mattresses and box springs are built durably to spring-back after being compressed, they represent a special challenge to landfills in making sure precious landfill volume is well used. Simply put, these mattresses just won’t bury easily. We have found that with a little effort we can remove the wood and metal and recycle it completely, the remaining foam/fabric is much easier to dispose of at the landfill.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

A non-ferrous metal is any metal a magnet will not stick to. These are the “money metals”. We pay for these items by weight. Stop by or call for more information. The metal shop is located at the David Street yard. The next time you’re in, ask for a free magnet.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

We pay you for things like copper wire, stainless steel, brass, etc.

Call for current prices

What Happens to it:

We send the material we receive to one of our trusted recycle partners to be processed and re-used as a source of recycled wood fibre in various consumer products and packaging.

Why Recycle

Paper production accounts for about 35% of felled trees. Recycling one tonne of printing or copier paper saves slightly more than two tonnes of virgin wood.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

Magazines, brown paper, cereal boxes, egg cartons, etc.

What Happens to it:

This item is sent to one of our trusted suppliers where it is processed into newsprint, molded pulp packaging, and cellulose insulation.

Why Recycle

Recycling one tonne of newspaper eliminates three cubic meters of landfill space, thus reducing the amount of methane gas released into the atmosphere (methane is a greenhouse gas that has a global warming potential 23 times greater than CO2!).

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

What Happens to it:

This item is sent to one of our trusted suppliers where it is processed back into consumer paper products.

Why Recycle

Recycling of clean office paper means that fewer trees have to be harvested, transported and processed to make paper; recycled office paper is used right here in BC to make new products for the world market.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

Office documents, computer paper (you can also rent our self-shredder)

What Happens to it:

This item is sent to the Product Care Program (an industry stewardship program) where it is processed for reuse. Latex-based paints are sorted by colour and made into new paint. The leftover colours are then used in concrete as a binding agent. Oil based paint is sent to Alberta where it is used in the mills as a fuel blending agent.

Why Recycle

Recycling paint will ensure that it is reused and will ensure that it doesn’t end up in our landfills and waterways.

* Please note: we don’t accept leaking containers, industrial paint or unlabelled paints or chemicals. Please visit the Product Care Association website

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

No Industrial Use paint or leaking cans will be accepted.

What Happens to it:

These items are sent to one of our trusted suppliers where it is crushed and recycled into road aggregate and concrete products.

Why Recycle

For our local market there are no glass manufacturers within reasonable shipping distance to reuse the glass we collect. Using the glass as an aggregate creates a premium product for the construction industry that reduces the demand for aggregate to be extracted from the earth.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

We provide a quick, easy and secure way to dispose of sensitive documents.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

What Happens to it:

Any dangerous household chemicals we receive as part of the Product Care Program are safely disposed through incineration at extremely high temperatures at a federally inspected and permitted facility. This includes some: pesticides, bug spray, paint thinner, and acetone.

Why Recycle

Although we cannot completely stop using hazardous products, we can make sure that leftovers are managed properly. Collection programs for these products help to reduce the potential harm to the environment. These programs ensure the safe disposal in facilities designed to treat or dispose of hazardous waste.

* Please note: we don’t accept leaking containers, industrial paint or unlabelled paints or chemicals. Please visit the Product Care website
* Please note: No commercial or agricultural products accepted.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

All products must be labelled.

What happens to it:

Non refillable propane tanks and torch cylinders are sent to one of our trusted suppliers, where they are recycled.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

Non-refillable only

What Happens to it:

We safely depressurize the tanks we receive and then de-valve the emptied tanks. The steel tanks and valves are added to the metals recycling streams.

Why Recycle

Pressurized containers present additional environmental concerns. If punctured, contents may be released so forcefully that injuries could result. Extreme temperatures may cause them to rupture, and moisture may cause them to rust, resulting in a release of residual propane with potential to harm the air, water or land. Pressurized containers sent to a landfill present safety concerns during compacting, and fire hazard becomes acute if the container is not emptied.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

What Happens to it:

Before recycling these appliances as a steel product, we make sure that all of the refrigerant in the appliance has been safely drained and captured. The refrigerant we collect is safely disposed.

Why Recycle

The refrigerants in old fridges and freezers are typically hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC’s) that have a global warming potential 12,000 times greater than CO2; safely capturing and disposing of this refrigerant is a positive step towards addressing climate change.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

Includes safe removal of refrigerants

What Happens to it:

These recyclables are sent to one of our trusted recycling partners. Material is sorted by colour and number and prepared (chipped, ground or palletized) for sale to various manufacturers. The recyclable material can end up in detergent and shampoo bottles, shipping pallets and grocery bags.

Why Recycle

The basic raw materials for plastic are petroleum and/or natural gas. These fossil fuels are sometimes combined with other elements, such as oxygen or chlorine, to make different types of plastic. Reusing or recycling plastics reduces the overall requirement for petrochemicals and keeps this environmentally-persistent material out of our landfills and waterways.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

Some examples of #2 plastics are milk jugs, household cleaner containers, juice bottles, shampoo bottles, cereal box liners, detergent bottles, motor oil bottles, yogurt tubs, and butter tubs. Milk jugs, detergent bottles, juice bottles, butter tubs, and toiletries bottles are made of it. #2 plastic is usually opaque.

The Capital Regional District collects plastics #1-7 through their Blue Box Recycling program. 

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

What Happens to it:

Steel is sent to one of our trusted suppliers where it is shredded, contaminants are removed and the finished material is then transported to processing plants worldwide. This material is melted and turned into new steel products.

Why Recycle

Metals can be recycled indefinitely without losing any of their properties. Recycling seven steel cans saves enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 26 hours.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

Small appliances, bikes, vacuums, tin cans, exercise equipment, barbecues

Refrigerators/freezers/watercoolers and other freon-using appliances (See Refrigerator section in “Master Material List” for more info)

What Happens to it:

Recycling Styrofoam is a two-step process. First, one machine breaks it down into small pieces. A second machine densifies the product into small bricks. These bricks are recycled into number 6 plastics (picture frames, etc) by one of our trusted partners.

Why Recycle

Styrofoam does not break down, so recycling it allows us to keep this environmentally-persistent product out of the landfill. The processed Styrofoam also takes up much less room – 65 truck loads can be reduced to just 1.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

EPS, Styrofoam, Extruded Polystyrene

Clean only, white, DRY only:

We accept car and truck tires. 

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

Toilets cannot be recycled and are now considered landfill.

Where can I take it?

We do accept toilets, but they are not recycled.

What Happens to it:

The TVs and monitors we collect are completely recycled. 

Why Recycle

As of January 2011, Televisions and monitors are banned from disposal at CRD Hartland. This means that treating these items as garbage can result in fines from the CRD. The Electronics Stewardship Association of BC has developed a return and processing system that works efficiently to ensure these items are recycled in an environmentally responsible fashion.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

TVs, Monitors, LCD Screens

What Happens to it:

Wood is sent to our Commercial Diversion Facility where it is processed into RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel). Ellice barges the RDF to customers who use it as an alternative fuel source for generating steam or electric power (offsetting their use of gas or oil). Did you know you don’t have to remove nails, hinges or handles from the wood before bringing it in?

Why Recycle

If thrown away in a landfill, wood biodegrades and produces greenhouse gases. As often as possible, please reuse wood so new trees don’t have to be cut down. When the wood is no longer useful, it can be processed into RDF and then used to generate heat and power instead of burning hydrocarbons. This reduces CO2 emissions, shrinking the carbon footprint of the generating facility and positively impacting climate change.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice

What Happens to it:

Yard and garden waste is processed at our Commercial Yard. The material we receive is ground into compostable mulch which is used by gardeners and landscapers to keep Victoria lawns and gardens beautiful and healthy. Did you know when you use garden compost, it benefits the soil, as opposed to fertilizer, which depletes it?

Why Recycle

Millions of tonnes of garden waste, such as grass cuttings, branches, prunings and leaves, are needlessly sent to landfill sites each year. They are banned at the CRD landfill, however, because they’re recognized as a valuable gardening material and a great source of soil nutrients.

Where can I take it?

Accepted at Ellice