Take Action Daily - Time For A Little R & R - & R

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle ( you can stay in your pj's too )

By now most of us do this naturally. At least when it comes to paper, tins, plastic, etc. But what about those other things? I'm referring to such items as batteries, electronics, ink and toner cartridges, cfl light bulbs, all those chemically worrisome products that we so unassumingly toss in our trash. Computers for example contain hazardous carcinogens like lead, and arsenic. These are extremely dangerous and unfortunately have been handled wrong. If indeed they are recycled many are shipped to poor countries via the guise of charitable donations where desperate men, women, and children melt down the useless pieces to access the valuable gold and silver bits. Many of the children have up to 20% brain damage as a result. There's nothing sustainable or humane about the retardation of those in need. We're not even that bad here.
So what is to be done? We, can't dump it in the trash, we can't trust just anyone to recycle it, and e-waste usually makes for pretty ugly paper weights, what can we do with it?
The answer of course is to recycle it. First you must find out where in your neighbourhood you can take specific items, then you must find out who their recycler is and look in to the company. Once you are comfortable with their process, it is easiest to set aside a box somewhere at home to put this junk, so the next time you are going that way you just grab the box and go.
London Drugs recycles many electronics and their batteries, and the stores are close to most neighbourhoods. The company they use is called Genesis Recycling based in Abbotsford, and they are committed to being leaders in ethical and environmentally friendly electronic recycling. www.genesisrecycling.ca London Drugs accepts most electronics, however, for a complete list you will probably have to call the store nearest you. They have just recently upgraded their program and now take in a lot more than before. I checked out their website but did not find any information regarding their recycling program (which is a shame really, it is something they should seriously promote). www.londondrugs.com
If their is no London Drugs near you, then check out local hardware stores, grocery, or drug stores, repair shops, etc. If you still come up with nothing, try the GVRD website as they have complete listings on where to recycle anything and if you can't find a place they have a number to call and they will tell you where you can go. www.gvrd.bc.ca They even have zero waste workshops. So hang to your crap until the next time you go into town or near a recycling depot store because sooner or later you know you will have to.

www.genesisrecycling.ca
www.londondrugs.com
www.gvrd.bc.ca