Waste management is an ongoing concern for all levels of government.

More and more recycling initiatives are being launched all the time to help stem the tide of garbage in landfills in Chilliwack and all over British Columbia.

Oct. 15 to 22 is Waste Reduction Week in Chilliwack and it's a chance to get rid of that old stove or refrigerator for free at the Bailey Landfill. For one week only, free scrap metal recycling is available for residents.

For just about everything else that has reached the end of its life in your house, product stewardship programs in B.C.-guided by the Environmental Management Act-help residents get rid of unwanted items. These programs are typically created as non-profit organizations funded by fees, which cover advertisement, collection, transportation and safe disposal.

SMALL APPLIANCES

The latest stewardship program is the small appliance recycling program across Canada by the Canadian Electrical Stewardship Association (CESA). As of Oct. 1,

small appliances such as fans, blenders, vacuums, hair dryers, irons, scales and clocks will be accepted for disposal at the Sardis Bottle Depot and the Chilliwack Bottle Depot. For a full list of products that can be discarded as part of the program visit www.cesarecycling. ca.

FLOURESCENT LIGHTS

As of July 1, 2010, burnt out compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and fluorescent tubes (residential use only) can be brought back to a number of retailers, including Canadian Tire and London Drugs.

For more information on the program call 1-800-667-4321 or visit www.rcbc.bc.ca.

ELECTRONIC WASTE

In February 2006, the provincial government added computers, televisions, computer monitors and computer peripherals to the BC Recycling Regulation making industry responsible for the lifecycle management of their products.

Free collection of electronic materials began June 2007 at the Sardis Bottle Depot and Chilliwack Bottle Depot for disposal year-round. For more information about E-waste recycling visit www.encorp. ca/acceptable.

SCRAP TIRES

In 2006, the BC Recycling Regulation was amended to include a tire product category. After 16 years, BC's Scrap Tire Recycling Program shifted from a government-led program to an industry-run program. The regulation makes the producer (manufacturer, distributor, importer, retailer) responsible for the life-cycle management of their products, including financing the collection and recycling of discarded products. Passenger, light truck,

and motorcycle tires will now pay an Advanced Disposal Fee (ADF) of $4 per tire. More information can be found at www. tirestewardshipbc.ca.

BATTERIES

Used household batteries can be dropped off at a number of local businesses operating return-to-retail programs including RONA, Future Shop and London Drugs. In December 2008, the Ministry of Environment amended BC's Recycling Regulation to include alkaline batteries. The following websites provide more information: www.rcbc. bc.ca, www.call2recycle.ca.

Alkaline (non-rechargeable batteries) can also be taken to the Sardis Bottle Depot and Chilliwack Bottle Depot for disposal.

OIL AND FILTERS

The rules for disposing of used oil (including engine oil, transmission fluid, and hydraulic fluid), oil filters, and empty plastic oil containers have changed. The British Columbia Used Oil Managment Association (BCUOMA) have set up a new network of drop off locations for the expanded program. For a list of places that accept these materials visit www.usedoilrecycling.com.

? For even more information on product stewardship programs, including engine oil, hazardous waste and medication, visit the Environmental Services page at www.chilliwack.com.