Turn Them In and Win!

Spring has sprung! All around the city, Edmontonians are cleaning out closets, basements, and garages.

There are so many great places in Edmonton that accept unwanted items for reuse, including charities, second hand shops, and the Reuse Centre, of course!

But do you know what to do with items that aren't in good condition, or that aren't accepted for reuse?

The City of Edmonton is asking residents to take household hazardous waste and items too large for regular garbage collection to an Eco Station.

Eco Stations are convenient waste drop-off facilities for all types of residential waste and they play an essential role in Edmonton’s integrated waste management system.

Items such as old electronics, paint, batteries and cleaning products can be turned in for free at one of the City’s four Eco Stations where they will be recycled and disposed of properly. This type of waste is harmful to the environment if not handled correctly and should not go into the garbage.

Eco Stations also accept large and bulky items such as sofas, mattresses, tables and yard waste which cannot be set out for regular collection. Please note that fees will apply for these items.

To say thank you for disposing of your household waste properly, Eco Stations are giving away movie passes from April 25 to May 9. Visit an Eco Station for your daily chance to win.

For locations and more information please visit Edmonton.ca/EcoStations

Kennedale Eco Station opens with a brand new Reuse Area

You know all about the Reuse Centre, but did you know that the City of Edmonton has two Reuse Areas as well?

In an effort to encourage reuse and reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill, Ambleside Eco Station (14710 Ellerslie Rd SW) and the brand new Kennedale Eco Station (5355 127 Ave) are each home to a Reuse Area.

What does that mean?

Eco Stations are a one-stop-drop for most of the items that you can’t put out for curbside pickup, including electronics, hazardous household waste like batteries and chemicals, and large pieces of furniture. Not quite sure what to bring there? Find their list here.


When Edmontonians bring their large items or electronics for responsible disposal of at an Eco Station, staff keep a keen eye out for items in good, working condition. With the resident’s permission, staff can now set those things aside in the Reuse Area. Regular disposal fees still apply, though many things, such as household electronics are free to drop off. Items in the Reuse Area are free for others to take.

What can you find in the Reuse Area?

Ambleside Reuse Area

Anything that a resident drops off at an Eco Station, that is still in good condition!

All items are selected at the discretion of the Eco Station attendants. Like the Reuse Centre, stock is entirely dependent on what has been dropped off recently, and all items are first-come, first-served. Depending on the day, you might find furniture, television sets and other household appliances, movies, or even a pair of skis. A lucky treasure hunter I know once found a fully equipped weight bench!



Reuse Centre, Reuse Area, what's the difference?

Both are efforts by the City of Edmonton to encourage reuse and keep usable goods out of the landfill.

Kennedale Reuse Area

• The Reuse Centre focuses on a specific list of small, everyday items that, for the most part, are not accepted by other second-hand organizations. There is currently one location (6835 83 St). Items on the list are free to drop off, and customers can purchase items for a low cost ($5 per up to 50kg)

• There are two Reuse Areas, one located in the Ambleside Eco Station and the other in the brand new Kennedale Eco Station. Reuse Areas focus on larger items that residents have brought to the Eco Station for recycling or disposal. Items are free to take, but standard Eco Station fees apply for drop off. 

Did you know that all Eco Stations accept items for the Reuse Centre from the accepted items list? Next time you're visiting an Eco Station, you can also bring your Reuse Centre donations for free! Just mention to the attendant that you have Reuse Centre donations. Items are delivered to the Reuse Centre on a weekly basis.
So, next time you’re dropping off your broken electronics, household hazardous waste, or unwanted furniture at an Eco Station, check out one of the two Reuse Areas. You never know what you might find!

- Sarah (Volunteer)

Battery Newman’s “Turn Me In” to an Eco Station debut

What can be learned about proper waste disposal from a singing battery? Well, when that singing battery is as awesome as Battery Newman, the star of the fun music video ‘Turn Me In’, you can learn a great a deal. Battery Newman sings in the style of another famous Newman – Randy Newman. His catchy song points out the importance of taking batteries and other household hazardous waste and electronics to an Eco Station for proper disposal or recycling.

The video is part of the City’s ‘Turn Them In’ Eco Stations campaign.  As spring has finally arrived (yay!) and Edmontonians are beginning their spring-cleaning and renovations,  this is the perfect time of year to get rid of all those waste items that are taking up room in your house or garage.  Household hazardous waste and electronics can be turned into an Eco Station for FREE! (Who doesn’t like that price?). These kinds of items include batteries, leftover paint, light bulbs, old computers, syringes and broken power tools.  Speaking of renovations, Eco Stations also accept renovation waste and bulky items too big to set out for collection (fees apply). Pop over to edmonton.ca/ecostations for a full list of items that are accepted at Eco Stations.

If you’re like me and the Battery Newman music video has inspired you to create and share your own waste reduction video (I mean how could you not be inspired by Battery Newman??)… Well you’re in luck! The 90waysto90.com site allows you to do just that! Upload your video on any waste reduction tip (reuse ideas perhaps?) to help Edmonton achieve the goal of keeping 90 per cent of household waste out of landfills. You can then get your friends and family to like and share your video. Have fun and remember… turn in your household hazardous waste!