Realtors amass thousands of items for recycling

In a mass recycling effort, Greater Vancouver realtors recently donated more than 2,000 used electronic items to the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA), a non-profit organization that collects computers and electronics and recycles or refurbishes them for charities and community groups.

Over a one-week period, the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) encouraged its 9,600 members to drop off used computers, laptops, cables and fax machines, among other items.

 “This event garnered an incredible response. Nearly 400 realtors made drop-offs during the five days we offered the service,” said Dave Watt, REBGV president.

“It’s not always apparent how to dispose of old computers and gadgets, so to provide an environmentally responsible option for disposal was clearly well received.”

Hard drives, printers and monitors were the three most collected items, followed by mobile phones, VCRs and old stereo equipment. Four trips with a full-sized moving truck were required to pick-up all of the accumulated items.

All of the items received were given to the ERA, and will be recycled for local schools, charities, not-for-profit groups, libraries, elderly care homes and other community organizations. In a 2003 report, Environment Canada revealed that computers, phones, AV equipment and small household appliances account for more than 140,000 tonnes (or 4.5 kg per capita) of waste in Canadian landfills each year.