Q: Can I bring my broken TV to you?
A: Yes, please! We are an end-of-life electronics recycling site through Encorp (www.encorp.ca). We will happily take TVs, computer monitors and towers, keyboards and other computer peripherals, stereo equipment, VHS and DVD players.
Once donated to us, these items are packaged up and collected to go to Vancouver, where they are processed and sorted, then sent off to other plants where they are broken down further. A fun fact about the metals recovered during this process: some of them were re-made into medals for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics!
The store generates a return for such items, which means that even by leaving your broken, heavy old TV with the WCSS Re-Use-It Centre staff, you are helping us make money to support Whistler Community Services Society’s programs!
Q: What do I do with a non-functioning microwave?
A: We’ll take that one too, please! We’ve taken on another recycling program for household electronics called “Unplugged” (www.unpluggedrecycling.ca) so we can safely process not only your old microwave, but also your hair dryer, your blender, your toaster, your iron, your food processor, and so much more (seriously, the list is ridiculously long). The items are palletized by our staff, and away they go to Vancouver.
Again, this program makes money for our store. Who would have thought that donating broken electronics could leave you with such a warm fuzzy feeling of helping your community? Not to mention the karma…
Q: So, which items can’t you take?
A: There is a short list and it’s mainly about safety. We cannot accept children’s safety items: no strollers, prams, floatation devices, high chairs… it’s just about keeping the little ones safe! Also no helmets (bike helmets, hockey helmets, ski and snowboard helmets, hard hats) as we simply don’t know if they’ve had any bad knocks that could jeopardize your safety. We love our customers and we don’t want them making an unsafe purchase!
Q: Will you take my old couch?
A: The WCSS Re-Build-It Centre accepts furniture donations. The warehouse offers a little more space for larger items that we have struggled to house safely and accessibly in the past. It looks great, go take a look! Find them in Function Junction too, at 1400 Alpha Lake Road, which is 3 buildings past RONA, on the left side of the road.
Of course they still have to be conservative with space, so they will take your couch if it’s tear and stain free, and of course if they have the room!
