Stewardship Agencies of BC (SABC), a coalition of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) organizations across British Columbia that work together to promote and manage responsible end-of-life programs, announced that all 13 member organizations are now participating in the First Nations Recycling Initiative (FNRI), an initiative founded by members of SABC. Since 2017, the FNRI has worked with First Nations communities across the province to raise awareness of B.C. ‘s stewardship programs and to support local collection events, helping communities build and expand their recycling programs.
“The First Nations Recycling Initiative was created by SABC members who saw an opportunity to collaborate and support First Nation communities to access program information and participate in B.C.’s EPR programs,” said Jordan Best, BC chair. “Initially eight of SABC’s member organizations created a project that would be specifically relevant to First Nations who were interested in starting or strengthening recycling programs in their communities. Now, with all 13 SABC member organizations involved, we can make it even easier for communities to recycle a wider range of items.”
With all 13 SABC member organizations now in partnership with the FNRI, and with the support of IZWTAG, the following materials can be recycled:
- NEW – Used oil and antifreeze, oil filters and automotive containers.
- NEW – Leftover paint, household hazardous waste, lights, and smoke/CO alarms.
- NEW – Consumer and industrial lead-acid batteries.
- Batteries (like single-use batteries and rechargeable batteries).
- Small appliances and power tools (like toasters, irons, hairdryers, drills, and clocks).
- Electronics (like televisions, computers, cellular devices, and video game systems).
- Thermostats, like mercury-containing and electronic thermostats.
- Health products (like prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, Natural health products, and traditional medicine).
- Major appliances (like refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers).
- Electric outdoor power equipment (like corded lawn mowers, battery chainsaws, and battery/corded leaf blowers).
- Packaging and paper products (like printed paper, plastic containers, metal containers, paper packaging, glass, flexible plastics and foam ackaging).
- Beverage containers.
- Tires (car tires, medium truck tires, agricultural tires, logger skidder tires and bicycle tires and tubes).
“Our Indigenous run, non-profit society was built on the foundation of protecting and preserving the environment and improving waste management within First Nation communities,” said Calvin Jameson, president, Indigenous Zero Waste Technical Advisory Group. “By creating this partnership with SABC to collaborate on the FNRI, we’re able to continue to develop, and grow, local solutions for recycling for more First Nation communities and will provide training and support for those who are interested in recycling initiatives in their communities.”
The 13 SABC member organizations involved are: Brewers’ Recycled Container Collection Council (BRCCC), Call2Recycle Canada, Canadian Battery Association (CBA), Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA), Health Products Stewardship Association, Interchange Recycling, Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable (MARR), Outdoor Power Equipment Institute Canada (OPEIC), Product Care Recycling, Recycle BC, Return-It, Thermostat Recovery Program (TRP), and Tire Stewardship BC.
Published May 2025