Large Appliances

Fridges, freezers, stoves, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, hot water tanks, and furnaces. Please remove insulation wrapped around non-operational dishwashers before drop off.

All large appliances are subject to a $25 drop-off fee.

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Working appliances can be made available in our ReShop and acquired by donation.

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We cannot accept toilets - see Options for Other Types of Recyclables

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Small Appliances and Power Tools

Authorized collection depot for BC's Small Appliance and Power Tool Recycling Program.

Items must be designated for residential use only and include both corded and battery powered items.

Accepted appliances include:

- kitchen counter-top items (toasters, kettles, air fryers, etc.)

- garment care appliances (irons, fabric steamers)

- air treatment devices (fans, air purifiers, humidifiers)

- floor care (vacuums, household carpet cleaning devices)

- personal care (hair dryers, electric razors, foot baths)

- sports and leisure (treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes)

- time and weight measurement devices (clocks and scales) 

- power tools (all corded or battery operated tools)

- outdoor battery powered or corded tools

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For a complete list of the small appliance and power tool products that we can accept at the Pender Island Recycling Depot visit electrorecycle.ca.

There is no charge to drop off any of these items.

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Batteries and Cellphones

We accept cell phones and household batteries including: Alkaline (AA, AAA, 9V, etc.), Nickel Cadmium (Ni-CD), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) and Nickel Zinc (Ni-ZN) batteries.

**Small Sealed Lead Acid (SSLA/Pb), Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) and Lithium Primary batteries MUST be in individual, clear plastic bags before being placed in the collection container. This minimizes risk of batteries catching fire. Plastic bags for these batteries are available at the recycling depot. 

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Visit Call2Recycle for more information.

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We also recycle car, truck, and marine batteries. Please see staff for assistance.

 

We cannot accept batteries that have leaked or are corroded.

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Books

Books are not currently recyclable. We accept some books for re-use in our FreeStore on a case-by-case basis. Please ask a staff member for assistance before donating books.

Books must be clean, dry, and in good condition. Only fiction or non-fiction books others may find useful will be accepted.

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We cannot accept: text books, encyclopedias, periodicals, library books, or free government books.  

For magazines, please see paper.

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Cardboard/Boxboard/Paper

We accept corrugated cardboard, boxboard and paper packaging. Please remove all food and food stained liners from boxes, as well as any plastic wrapping. 

- Cardboard should be CLEAN, DRY, and free of duct tape.

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We also accept: newsprint, TV guides, flyers, computer paper, envelopes, can labels, coloured paper, phone books, magazines, and junk mail.

- All paper products must be clean and dry. 

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We CANNOT accept: kleenex, paper towels, or toilet paper (these can be composted), waxed paper, ribbon and bows, or photographs.

- Paper bags with a plastic film liner (like Que Pasa brand chip bags or microwavable popcorn), and wax coated cardboard are not recyclable.

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Egg cartons - we have an area where egg cartons are made available for reuse. If they are stained with egg residue, please recycle them instead.

Magazines - interesting and up-to-date magazines can be placed on our rack for others to take. Out of date magazines should be recycled instead. 

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Cartons and Cups: soup, broth, coffee, cream

We accept plastic lined paper containers such as those used for soup or broth; to-go coffee and drinks; coffee cream; coconut milk; and paper ice cream containers.

Please rinse clean and recycle with plastic containers.

Milk and non dairy beverages - see Drink Containers 

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Drink Containers

We accept all beverage containers. They are sorted by material type including: plastic, glass, drink boxes, gable top cartons, aluminum cans (separate beer and alcohol cans from non-alcoholic), and wine boxes.

- All milk and non-dairy beverages are collected with refundable drink containers, cream does not have a deposit and should be recycled with the other cartons.

Please rinse containers clean.

- Caps can be left on and straws for drink boxes should be pushed in. 
- Wine boxes do not require the plastic bags separated and there is no need to flatten the boxes.

- We do not refund deposits at the depot. All revenue generated from refundables help fund recycling initiatives.

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Electronics

We accept computers, monitors, computer accessories, printers, fax machines, TVs, stereos, speakers, DVD and VCR players, phones, gaming systems, electronic toys, and other electronics.

We also accept DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes and cassette tapes and the cases they were purchased in. Visit return-it.ca to see a complete list of electronics we can accept .

There is no charge to drop off electronics.

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Glass containers - non-deposit

We accept glass packaging for non-deposit items such as spaghetti sauce, jam, and personal care items. These containers have no deposit and are collected separately from juice bottles. 

Glass containers should be clean and dry with lids removed.

- Canning jars are collected separately and are often available in our FreeStore. Please check with staff if you have some that you would like to donate.

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We CANNOT accept ceramics or Pyrex products, or glass that is not packaging (e.g., drinking glasses, vases, or glass window panes).

For ideas about how to dispose of other types of glass please see Options for Other Types of Recyclables.

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Light bulbs and light fixtures

We accept LED, incandescent, compact fluorescent, halogen, UHP, and HID bulbs. Also fluorescent tubes of any shape. Broken bulbs should be kept contained in a plastic bag.

 

We also accept lighting fixtures including: floor lamps, chandeliers, table lamps, ceiling lights, flashlights, and Christmas lights from residential homes.

- For additional details about the LightRecycle program, visit  lightrecycle.ca

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Masks

We accept used single use face masks for recycling.

Accepted masks/respirators include: all disposable styles of surgical masks, KN95, and N95.

Motor oil

We accept used motor oil, oil filters, and antifreeze; as well as empty oil and antifreeze containers; on behalf of the Interchange Recycling stewardship program.

To be accepted the empty oil containers must be made of plastic, have a capacity of less than 30 litres, and be manufactured to hold oil.

Please see staff to drop off these items

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Paint 

We accept most household paints - latex or oil, interior or exterior, metal paint and primer, also aerosol paint cans. Paint cans can be empty, partially-full or full. Paint must be screened and collected by a staff member. 

Paint must be in the original, intact container with a securely affixed label.

- For a list of accepted products please visit the PaintRecycle website.

We CANNOT accept industrial coatings, artist or craft paints, adhesives, grout, marine paint (antifouling), wood preservatives, two part epoxy, or roofing tar.

 

- Good reusable paint is available for free in our Paint Share area in the FreeStore. Please sign the Paint Share form when you take paint.

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Plastic: containers

We accept plastic packaging for food, personal care items, soap and cleaning products, empty pill and vitamin bottles, rigid plastic packaging, plant pots, and much more.

All plastics should be clean and dry, especially plant pots.

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Plastic: non-packaging

Non-program plastic must be clean, free of paint, and free of metal (such as screws and rivets).

There is currently no stewardship program for these items. They are taken to a plastic recycling facility in Vancouver by PIRS. The cost of recycling these materials is paid by PIRS and sources include CRD funding, voluntary memberships, and donations. In 2024, Pender recycled 3,000 kg of this material.

Smaller items are free to recycle; larger items such as lawn chairs are subject to a $2 fee.

- Please see staff for assistance with these items.

 

Plexiglass, PVC pipes, brittle degraded plastic, and plastic strapping are not accepted

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Plastic: other flexible plastic packaging

We accept flexible plastic packaging, including: plastic/foil chip bags, mesh onion and avocado bags, zippered bags, bubble wrap (without paper), foil lined plastic candy wrappers, packages with rigid bottoms and peel off plastic tops, safety seals from milk jugs, yogurt, etc., squishy foam, stretch wrap, overwrap (from toilet paper, pop can flats, etc.) and plastic bags (example, grocery bags, produce bags, bread bags and other soft, stretchy plastic packaging).

All items should be clean and dry. 

- Pop and beer can yokes are accepted separately

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Scrap metal

- Scrap metal items should be 80% metal

- Copper, brass, and wire are sorted separately

- We accept a variety of metals such as metal roofing, fencing, wood stoves, tools, lawn mowers, etc.

- Please place nails, screws and small items in the washing machine designated for this purpose

- Please compress wire fencing if you are able

- Please remove fabric from aluminum lawn chairs 

- Gas powered lawnmowers and other tools are accepted for a fee and must be drained of all fuel and oil before drop-off

 

Drop off fees

Pick up truck load of scrap metal: $20 

BBQ: $15

Woodstove: $25

We CANNOT accept propane tanks, gas or diesel tanks, or any machinery with fuel or oil still in the fuel tank.

 

Propane tanks and canisters are not accepted and can be dropped off at Pender Island Fire Hall No. 1 (across from the Community Hall) for a fee.

- Hartland Landfill also accepts these items for free.

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Smoke and CO alarms

We accept smoke alarms, CO alarms, and combination smoke and CO alarms under the AlarmRecycle stewardship program. Full details about the AlarmRecycle program can be found at AlarmRecycle.ca or by phoning 1-800-667-4321.

Please remove and recycle the batteries separately.

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Styrofoam 

We accept packaging styrofoam, including meat trays and packaging material from electronics/furniture. These are sorted as white or coloured.

Styrofoam must be clean and have meat tray liners removed.

We CANNOT accept styrofoam floatation, insulation, or packing peanuts. Squishy foam is collected with flexible plastics.

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Thermostats

Thermostats often contain mercury and it is important to keep them out of the landfill. We accept thermostats, both mechanical and electrical. There is no charge for drop-off.

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Tin cans

Steel cans and lids, aluminum cans and lids, aluminum foil, and cardboard wound containers with metal bottoms (e.g., frozen juice concentrate, coffee, nuts, etc.) are all collected together.  Single use, foil coffee pods are also accepted, as long as the coffee grounds have been removed.
Cans should be clean and dry.

 

- Aerosol cans for everyday household products, such as shaving foam, whipped cream, cleaners etc., have their own collection bin near the tin cans.

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- Coffee bags or other bags that look like aluminum foil can go with flexible plastic packaging. Note - To determine whether an item is foil or plastic, scrunch it in your hand. If it maintains its shape, it belongs with foil. If it does not, it belongs with Crinkly Plastics.

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- Pop, beer and beverage cans are accepted separately in our refundable aluminum and bi-metal beverage collection containers.

 

- Plastic lids are collected separately in the plastic packaging bins.

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Scrap metal and batteries are collected separately from the tin cans

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Tires

The depot ONLY accepts tires during the month of May. We accept all sizes and types of vehicle and bicycle tires. If possible, remove rims and recycle as scrap metal.

 

Tire recycling fees are:

$3 per vehicle tire "off rim" or

$8 per vehicle tire "on rim" 

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Bike tires are free to drop off.

We cannot accept wheelbarrow tires.