Electronics Recycling in Ontario: What to Recycle and Where to Take It
This page is Recyclability's guide to electronics recycling in Ontario, built to help households understand what electronics and electrical equipment (EEE) are accepted, how to prepare them for drop-off, and where to take them across the province. Many devices contain materials that should not go in the garbage or blue box, so knowing the right steps helps protect people and the environment. This guide covers accepted items, exclusions, the recycling process, and answers to common questions about disposing of electronics safely in Ontario.
How to Recycle Electronics and Electrical Equipment
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Where to Recycle
Retail locations must accept all electronics similar to the products sold at the store (regardless of brand name).
Use the recycling location finder to find the closest drop-off point for electronics disposal in Ontario that households can rely on.
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Full list of electronics that can be recycledWhat You Can Recycle
Electronics and electrical equipment includes all components, parts, or peripherals, including batteries, that are provided with the product at the time of purchase.
Packaging supplied with the product should be recycled or disposed of separately.
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Items Not Accepted for Electronics Recycling
The following items are not accepted for electronics recycling, even if they contain electrical or electronic parts:
- Textiles, clothing, furniture, or other upholstered and stuffed articles containing electronics
- Any electronic items that falls under the definition of “device” in section 2 of the Food and Drugs Act (Canada)
- Power tools
- Children’s toys
- Large appliances
- Small appliances
- Fitness equipment
How to Dispose of Electronics in Ontario
Follow these steps for how to dispose of electronics in Ontario:
- Collect eligible electronics and electrical equipment at home.
- Remove personal data from devices where possible.
- Take items to a participating retail location or collection point using the recycling location finder.
- Confirm accepted materials before visiting, since accepted items can vary slightly by location.
Where to Take E-Waste for Recycling in Ontario
You can take e-waste for recycling in Ontario to several types of drop-off locations, and it's free to do so. Electronics are accepted at:
- Retailers with take-back programs - stores that sell electronics must accept similar items back for recycling, regardless of brand.
- Municipal depots - many regions accept electronics at their waste or recycling depots.
- Community collection events - periodic drop-off events run by municipalities and program partners.
Electronics recycling is free across Ontario because producers cover the cost of the recycling program, so residents don't pay a drop-off fee. Use the recycling location finder to find the closest electronics disposal Ontario drop-off point and confirm what each site accepts.
Here is what generally happens after devices are dropped off.
Sorting and Shredding
- The journey begins with collecting electronic products through take-back programs, or designated collection points.
- At specialized electronics recycling facilities, workers manually sort and separate different types of e-waste. They examine items to identify reusable parts or components.
- E-waste then undergoes shredding. Powerful machines break down electronics into smaller pieces.
- This step prepares the materials for further processing.
Removal and Separation
- Magnets are employed to extract ferrous metals (such as iron and steel) from the shredded e-waste.
- These metals can be recycled separately.
- The remaining mixture is subjected to mechanical separation.
- Techniques like air classifiers and vibrating screens separate metallic components (like copper, aluminum, and gold) from nonmetallic ones (such as plastics and glass).
- Water-based separation is used to sort materials by density, allowing some plastics to float while heavier materials sink.
Keep our gadgets out of landfills and in the recycling loop
Special E-Waste Information
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CRT and Old TV Disposal in Ontario
Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) from old TVs and monitors require specialized handling due to their lead content. For old TV disposal in Ontario, use the recycling location finder to confirm accepted sites, since not every location accepts CRTs.
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Importance of E-Waste Recycling
Proper recycling prevents toxic substances (like lead, cadmium, and mercury) from leaching into soil, water, and air. It also reduces health risks and conserves resources. After drop-off, devices are sorted, shredded, and separated so metals like copper, aluminum, and steel can be recovered and reused instead of ending up in a landfill.
