About Drop Off and Take Back Programs

The City of Richmond works with local companies and organizations like Call2Recycle and Encorp to support BC's Product Stewardship Programs.

These programs are often called take back programs or Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs, and they are based on the principle that whoever designs, produces, sells or uses a product is also responsible for minimizing that product's environmental impact. The key participants in these programs are the BC government, local government, producers, retailers and consumers who bring their products to designated collection sites when they are at their end of life. The cost of these programs are covered by consumers and producers, sometimes in the form of a deposit or levy that is charged at the time of the purchase.

Take back programs are important as they expand the opportunities for recycling beyond the curbside collection services. Some products can be dropped off at the Recycling Depot, while others are collected by local businesses involved in product stewardship or take back programs. The following products can be recycled through take back programs:

Batteries Beverage containers Cell phones Electrical outdoor power equipment Electronics Lighting products Medication Major appliances

Oil and antifreeze Paint Pesticides, flammable liquids and fertilizers Small appliances and power tools Smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms Thermostats Tires

Using the links below, you’ll find information on where you can go to drop them off and links to sharing products to keep them out of the waste stream.


Richmond Recycling Depot
Recycling and Disposal Options
Banned and Prohibited Materials

Let’s Trim Our Waste. Being responsible for our waste involves recycling, looking for ways to reuse and share products and reducing our consumption in general. It also involves meeting requirements for garbage collection, including keeping banned materials out of garbage carts, and responsible disposal of hazardous waste. Richmond is working with community members and its partners throughout the region to encourage recycling and responsible waste management, with a goal to divert 80% of waste from the landfill by 2020, and every resident plays a role in achieving this goal. Together, we can make change happen.

Related Links and Resources

• Banned and Prohibited Materials 
• Take Back: Electronics, Batteries, Paint and More
• Metro Vancouver Recycling Directory
• Richmond Shares
• Richmond Garbage and Recycling Programs
• Richmond Recycling Depot
• RCBC Recycling Hotline: 604-732-9253
• Environmental Programs Information Line: 604-276-4010