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Recycling

All of the Township's waste sites are staffed to assist you and provide information and guidance with respect to the disposal of waste and recycling.  If you are unsure of where to dispose of an item, staff attendants are available at all sites to offer assistance and guidance. 
 
Please be reminded of the following important information:
  1. The Township requires that all household garbage and/or blue box recycling be placed in clear plastic bags.  Open recycling containers are also acceptable.
  2. All users of the Township's waste facilities must present a waste disposal card to the site attendant.  If you do not have a card, please submit a Service Request or contact the Township office at 705-746-4243 Ext. 338.
  3. It is the responsibility of residents to sort household garbage and recycling prior to arriving at the waste facility.  Township staff will not open containers or sort materials for you.
  4. Video surveillance is in effect at all waste facilities. Anyone found contravening the Waste By-law will be subject to enforcement action.

Please click on one of the topics shown below for detailed information regarding specific items.

For additional information, please refer to Accepted Items and Fees.


 
BlueboxThe Township of The Archipelago has a two-stream recycling program (fibres and containers), which must be disposed of in separate designated bins.  Blue box recycling is accepted at all of the Township's transfer stations and at the Site 9 landfill site.
 
The Township expects that all residents will participate in recycling and divert these materials from the waste stream. Blue box recycling must be placed in clear plastic bags. All containers to be recycled must be clean. 
 
Plastics numbered 1 through 7 will be accepted for recycling. For more information regarding the blue box recycling program, please view the acceptable waste recycling guide. 
 
Please note that due to health and safety concerns, the Township has changed it's policy and staff will no longer be permitted to handle and/or collect liquor and beer empties for return.  
As an authorized electronics collector with the Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA), all Township sites collect cell phones and rechargeable and single-use batteries.  
 
EPRA accepts the following types of batteries and cell phones:
  • rechargeable batteries including Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn) and Small Sealed Lead Acid (SSLA/Pb).
  • alkaline and lithium primary single use batteries
  • cellular phones, including those offering camera, video recording and/or audio functions; smartphones (cell-enabled); cell-enabled PDAs utilizing touch-screen. technology; cell-enabled handheld devices.
In 2018, the Township collected 598 kg of single-use batteries which were then sent for recycling and therefore diverted from the waste stream. 
clothing and textilesDiabetes Canada has established drop boxes at the following sites:
  • Site 9
  • Crane Lake
  • Healey Lake
  • Woods Bay
  • Skerryvore

Diabetes Canada accepts gently used clothing, accessories and bags, shoes and boots, curtains, sleeping bags and other general household textiles.  For more information regarding this program, please visit the Diabetes Canada website.

 
Please note that the Township does not maintain the Diabetes Canada donation bins. 

Under the Township's Agreement with the Electronics Products Recycling Association (EPRA), the following items can also be disposed of in the electronics bin located at the Healey Lake, Crane Lake and Woods Bay Transfer Stations and at the Site 9 Landfill:
  • all textiles with the exception of under garments
  • matching pairs of shoes
  • purses
  • linens, towels and draperies

The Township of The Archipelago is an Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA) authorized electronics collector.  EPRA is an industry-led, not-for-profit organization that operates the regulated electronics recycling program across Canada, ensuring that end-of-life electronics are handled in a safe, secure and environmentally-sound manner.

As the Township is an approved collector with EPRA, both Township residents and non-residents may dispose of acceptable electronics for recycling at the sites listed below.

Household electronics are collected and diverted from the waste stream, free of charge, at the following sites:

  • Site 9
  • Crane Lake
  • Healey Lake
  • Woods Bay

Please refer to the following list of accepted electronic items.  


Why Recycle Electronics?

Some electronics contain toxic substances such as mercury and heavy metals.  If not handled appropriately, these toxins can have environmental impacts leading to serious health and safety concerns.  Approved collectors properly handle and recycle electronics to prevent harmful substances from entering the environment.

Education

EPRA provides an education hub and activities for kids to learn about the importance of recycling electronics.     

Remember to:

  • clear personal information from your computer
  • remove cassettes, DVDs and CDs from your device
  • remove batteries and ink cartridges

Click here to learn how to wipe your device and other practical tips to secure your data and protect your privacy before recycling your electronic devices.

reuse

The re-use program is back starting Monday, July 26, 2021!


The Township has established re-use centres at the following sites:

  • Site 9
  • Crane Lake
  • Healey Lake
  • Woods Bay
  • Devil's Elbow
  • Sheep Head
Residents can drop off items that are still of use for others to pick up free of charge.  Please note that all items must be approved by the site attendant before being dropped off.