Many items in our homes contain highly polluting components that, if found in landfills, contaminate the soil with their toxic substances. When added to the recycling bin, these products also pose a risk to the health and safety of recycling plant employees. Fortunately, there are now a number of recycling programs set up to ensure that these environmentally harmful products are properly disposed of, and BMR is involved in many of them. Here are the products you can return.
EAB EXCHANGE-A-BLADE
EAB is a power tool accessory remanufacturer that has developed a program with the guiding principle “buy it, exchange it and save.” This eco-friendly trade-in system applies to more than 500 Exchange-A-Blade and RazorBack power tools, and is designed to prevent the accumulation of thousands of tonnes of steel in landfills while saving natural resources. Any old EAB blades, drill bits, hole saws, or abrasives can be returned to BMR to automatically receive up to 40% off your next EAB purchase.
GIVE YOUR PAINT A SECOND LIFE
Paint is highly damaging to the water table, soils, and biodiversity when not properly disposed of.
Since its creation in 2001, the Éco-Peinture program has diverted over 92 million kilograms of paint and empty containers from landfills. What do we do with them? Well, paint is sent the Laurentides Re/sources Inc. processing plant in Victoriaville, where it is sorted, filtered, and reused to make new recycled paint that’s ready to be put on the market under an array of trendy colors.
Metal containers are also used to manufacture such items as tools, bikes, and fire hydrants. Plastic containers are converted into park benches and picnic tables.
Find an Éco-Peinture drop-off location here.
DISPOSING OF FLUORESCENT BULBS AND TUBES
Have you heard of RecycFluo? It is a non-profit program that responsibly recycles light bulbs and fluorescent tubes containing mercury, which is one of the most harmful metals to nature and our health. Once in the environment, mercury can transform into methylmercury, which builds up in living organisms, including fish. The more you move up the food chain, the greater the levels of methylmercury. This is how humans become the most exposed, particularly by consuming fish. Methylmercury affects the nervous systems of mammals, including humans.* Recycling mercury-containing bulbs responsibly is therefore vital, both for us and for wildlife.
Please note that halogen, LED, incandescent, and low-pressure sodium bulbs are not accepted.
BATTERIES : CONVENIENT, YET HARMFUL
Batteries are an essential and ubiquitous part of our lives, and are used to power all our everyday devices from cellphones to electronics. However, tossing them in the trash or outdoors is both highly polluting and a waste of precious natural resources.
The Call2Recycle program helps protect the environment by collecting your old batteries, which are sorted according to their chemical composition, then melted down to make new products. Several materials are recovered, including zinc, cadmium, lead, cobalt, and nickel.
Here are some recommendations to safely recycle your batteries before bringing them to BMR or any other drop-off location:
- Wrap your batteries separately in a clear plastic bag before placing them in a storage container, or wrap them in clear tape, nonconductive electrical tape, or adhesive tape, ensuring the label is legible.
- Keep them in a plastic container (never metal) in a cool, dry place, as incidents can occur when the weather is too hot.
- If a battery appears swollen or misshapen, immediately place it in a non-flammable material, such as sand or kitty litter, and store in a cool, dry place. If it contains lithium or lithium-ion, contact Call2Recycle at 1-877-273-2925 for information on what to do.
Note : Programs available at select dealers. Check with your BMR dealer to confirm their participation.
* Source: Health Canada, 2007 https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/environmental-contaminants/mercury-your-health-environment-resource-tool.html