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Small appliances now taxed for recycling

Items from toasters to electric toothbrushes can now be returned to depots
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Small electrical appliances can now be taken back to many local depots for recycling.

Small electrical appliances from toasters to electric toothbrushes can now be returned for recycling to depots across the region.

And the service means buyers of new electrical goods are now paying an extra eco-fee to subsidize the costs of collection, transportation and recycling.

A large microwave oven will now cost $10 more, while an extra $2.25 recycling fee is now added to the price of new toasters and blenders.

See unpluggedrecycling.ca for a full list of fees, accepted products and depot locations or call 1-800-667-4321.

Organizers of the Unplugged program predict it will divert two million small appliances from landfills.

It's the latest in a growing set of takeback programs in B.C. where manufacturers and retailers are required by the province to set up depots to collect and recycle old items, while consumers pay recycling fees to cover the costs.

A dozen similar product stewardship programs cover items like electronics, tires and batteries.

Another program to take back dead smoke alarms has also launched, funded by a $1.20 recycling fee on new alarms. See alarmrecycle.ca for details.