It is important to understand that if an item cannot be recycled or composted, this does not mean it belongs in your garbage container either. Unique items are advised to be disposed of correctly such as hazardous waste, furniture, and electronic goods. By taking the extra steps to sort your junk correctly, this will help support the City of Calgary waste diversion goals by 2025.

Household Hazardous Waste 

Household hazardous waste (HHW) items contain chemicals that cannot enter our local landfills. Chemicals are not only harmful to humans but to our ecosystem. By disposing of HHW and other unapproved items within a landfill, this contributes to a harmful liquid runoff called, leachate. To reduce risk of leachate entering our local water streams and surrounding ecosystem, it is critical that our HHW items are disposed of at the provided Throw’n’ Go disposal facilities.  

Examples of household hazardous waste materials include: 

• Propane Tanks 
• Paint  
• Medicine 
• Motor Oil 
• Pesticides and other garden killers 
• Batteries 

Furniture Disposal  

Many may think that the best way to dispose of furniture is to place outside for curb-side collection. Commonly, these furniture pieces are large and contain destructive material to the collection vehicles; and the best way to dispose of furniture is directly to your local landfill.  

Before making your trip over to a local landfill to dispose of unwanted furniture, it is always important to take a moment to review your items. Here are some factors to consider: 

• Can this item be repaired and reused? 
• If your item is not damaged, can this item be donated? 
• Do you have a family member, friend, or coworker that would benefit from this item? 
• Am I creative? Can I paint or redesign this item to create something entirely new? 

Electronic Waste & E-Waste Recycling 

Electronic waste has shown a significant increase throughout the years and is considered the fastest growing waste stream according to the Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA). By Albertans supporting the Electronic Recycling Program, the ARMA has outstandingly diverted 10.6 million electronic waste items away from local landfills since 2004. Valuable metals are processed and repurposed into new products to support a Circular Economy waste management approach.  

To help support our provincial e-waste recycling initiatives, BluPlanet Recycling encourages Calgarians to separate their approved e-waste goods and to dispose of them at a designated facility. Facilities that will accept broken electronic waste include the City of Calgary landfills and the Electronic Recycling Association; while Women in Need Society and other donation good stores will accept unwanted electronics that are still within a reusable condition. Example of items approved include: 

• Televisions 
• Computers 
• Laptops, tablets, and cellphones 
• Printers, scanners, and copiers 

For a detailed list of what items are approved, please visit your preferred electronic waste disposal location for more information.  

Do you need help using your Black Cart?

For more information on what materials are approved in your Black Cart, visit our blog on how to dispose your garbage the proper way.