18 Dec Recycling Electronics Responsibly

Following the holidays, January is a great time to go through the house and collect all your broken electronics, and get them down to the Island Return It depots to be recycled responsibly. Many of us question how our electronics can be recycled safely, and in Canada, thankfully, we have the EPRA program (Electronics Producers Recycling Association) to help.

We’ve come a long way when it comes to handling broken electronics in a safe and responsible manner. That’s where eco fees come in (also called EHF: Environmental Handling Fee). We pay a small charge when we purchase new electronics, which helps to cover the cost of recycling it at the end of its life cycle, and why we can drop these items off for free. The EPRA program recovers reusable components to be sent back into the manufacturing supply chain, and further sorts plastics and metals for recycling, keeping them out of our landfills.

The EPRA is a regulated non-profit program created by Canada’s leading electronic manufacturers and retailers (not funded by the government) to help ensure all electronics can be recycled at the end of their life cycle. The EFT is not a tax, nor a deposit, and the amount will vary depending of the cost of transporting and recycling each individual electronic. 

Please note: Recycling personal computers and devices at Island Return It is very secure. All products are stored inside, and transportation from the depot onto the truck, and then to the EPRA processor, in a fully secured loop. 

Duncan and Cobble Hill’s Island Return It depots are ready to receive your electronic recycling. Jump onto our electronics recycling list for a detailed rundown of accepted items. Our friendly staff are also available to answer any questions you may have at the depot. Thank you for recycling your electronics.

Here are a few examples of electronics recycled through the EPRA program:  

Electronic:

Countertop Appliances

Video Gaming Systems

Power Tools

Beauty Care Products

Floor Care Products

Exercise Machines

E-Bikes & Scooters

Air Treatment

Medical & Monitoring Equipment

Musical Instruments

Other Depot News: 

Island Return It has just chosen the 12 local Non-Profit organizations that will receive donations at their depots (and the CVRD). Here is the list, so you can support your favourite charities:

Charity Of the Month 2026 (selected by a random draw):

Jan – Wild Safe BC

Feb – Cowichan District Hospital Foundation

Mar – Cowichan Hospice Society

Apr –  Brain On Wheels

May – Cowichan Family Caregivers

Jun – Eagles Hall

Jul – Volunteer Cowichan

Aug – Cowichan Regional Visitors Centre

Sep – Shawnigan Basin Society

Oct – Duncan Dynamics

Nov – Foster Kritters

Dec – Cowichan Green Community