This Barrie 360 article is brought to you by EPRA and Recycle My Electronics.
Old electronics don’t just take up space … they can pose real risks. Devices tossed in the trash can leak harmful materials, expose personal data, or end up being handled by irresponsible recyclers.
In Barrie, EPRA (Electronic Products Recycling Association) and Recycle My Electronics provide a safe, secure solution that keeps e-waste out of landfills while protecting both the environment and your personal information. With convenient local drop-off locations, all you have to do is “Bring It”.
What is EPRA/Recycle My Electronics
EPRA/Recycle My Electronics operates one of Canada’s most extensive electronics recycling networks, working with approved collectors, transporters, and recyclers at the local, provincial, and national level. That means convenient, trusted drop-off options right here in Barrie and across the surrounding area.
“EPRA/Recycle My Electronics programs make electronics recycling accessible through our network of approved dropoff locations, retail partnerships and special collection events,” says Pierre Prim, Vice President of Operations at EPRA. “Accessibility for collection is central to our mandate, whether it’s in an urban centre or a remote community, there’s a dropoff location within 30 minutes of most Canadians and plenty, right here, in Barrie and surrounding area.”
Electronics accepted for recycling
Recycle My Electronics accepts a wide range of devices, including:
- TVs, monitors, and display devices
- Computers, laptops, routers, cables, and chargers
- Phones and video game systems with accessories
- Printers, including floor-standing and desktop models, plus cartridges
- Home audio and video systems, home theatres, and portable AV devices
- Cameras, security systems, and recording equipment
- Drones, musical instruments, and aftermarket car stereos
- 3D printers and related equipment
Community education and awareness at the Barrie Fair
To help raise awareness about proper electronics recycling, EPRA/Recycle My Electronics recently hosted a community education and collection event at the Barrie Fair. The program welcomed the Honourable Andrea Khanjin, Ontario’s Minister of Red Tape Reduction and former Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
The event featured an interactive mobile classroom where visitors could learn how electronics recycling works and why it matters, all in a fun and engaging way for families.
“I love that we have this capability here at the Barrie Fair,” said Minister Khanjin. “It educates the greater public about the importance of recycling electronics. As a mom of two kids, it gets them excited as well, and it’s passing on that generational knowledge. You have the power to do something about your environment. You also have the power to give that piece of technology a new life by recycling it and putting it in the right place.”
What happens when you “Bring It”
Recycling electronics through an authorized EPRA/Recycle My Electronics location helps to:
- Ensure personal data on devices is destroyed safely and securely
- Protect the health and safety of workers handling e-waste
- Keep electronic waste out of Canadian landfills
- Prevent illegal export and improper handling of electronics
- Recover reusable materials that conserve natural resources
Turning old electronics into valuable resources
When you recycle electronics through EPRA and Recycle My Electronics, devices are kept out of landfills and processed responsibly. Valuable materials like plastic, glass, gold, silver, and copper are safely recovered and reused without losing their quality. These materials are then reintegrated into the manufacturing supply chain, reducing the need for new raw resources.
A proven record of success
As an award-winning, industry-led, not-for-profit organization, EPRA has become a national leader in electronics recycling. Over the years, Recycle My Electronics programs have diverted more than 1.4 million tonnes of electronics from landfills and illegal export.
From offering convenient drop-off locations for residents to providing tailored recycling solutions for businesses, EPRA helps Canadians take meaningful action to protect the environment.
To learn more, find a nearby drop-off location, or book a business pickup, visit recycleMYelectronics.ca.
Local electronics drop-off locations in Barrie
Barrie residents have access to many convenient drop-off locations, including:
- City of Barrie Landfill – 272 Ferndale Drive North, Barrie
- Best Buy Barrie – Unit 2, 80 Concert Way, Barrie
- Staples Barrie (Bayfield Street) – 561 Bayfield Street, Barrie
- Staples Barrie (Barrie View Drive) – 36 Barrie View Drive, Barrie
- Talize Barrie – 400 Bayfield Street, Barrie
- Mission Thrift Barrie – 504 Big Bay Point Road, Barrie
- Stuff Shop – 525 Bryne Drive, Barrie
- Rams Miracle – 4 Ferris Lane, Barrie
- Deep Roots Fundraising Inc. – 28 Commerce Park Drive, Barrie
- ReSource Barrie North – 221 Cundles Road East
Additional drop-off options are also available throughout Simcoe County and nearby communities.
