Electronics Recycling at REAL Deal
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions are specific to the REAL Deal Depot.
Q. Do I have to be a Smiths Falls resident to use the REAL Deal depot?
A. No, there is no residency requirement.
Q. Is there a charge for this service?
A. No. The service is free to Ontario residents.
Q. What do you mean by white goods?
A. White goods are large appliances such as washers, driers, fridges, stoves, freezers and dishwashers. They are not accepted in this program.
Q. What home appliances contain freon?
A. Home appliances than contain the refrigerant freon include fridges, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
Q. Why can’t you sell me computer components that were donated?
A. It is a stipulation of our agreement. Also, we are not prepared to erase data from devices, and this would be a privacy issue.
Q. Do you still accept printer and toner cartridges?
A. Yes, we have a box at the customer entrance for used ink and toner cartridges.
Q. Can I leave my electronic appliances after hours?
A. Absolutely not. If we cannot verify the appliance is acceptable and you have left it anyway, it is considered dumping, and you can be fined.
Q. Do I have to sign a waiver for everything I bring to the depot?
A. No. A waiver is only required if you or our staff deem an item to be sellable. Most of the electronics are destined for recycling, but since the REAL Deal is in the reused goods business, we are permitted to resell those item IF the customer agrees. If there is more than one item in your load that you are agreeing the REAL Deal can resell, only one waiver is required.
Q. What happens if you can’t sell an electronic item I donated and signed a waiver for?
A. REAL will ensure the item goes back into the recycling program.
Q. What does REAL do with the electronics?
A. The electronics are collected in a large metal walk-in bin near the customer entrance that is locked after hours. When the bin is full it is collected by an authorized hauler and taken to a central facility.
Q. Is REAL making any money from this?
A. REAL will receive an dollar amount per tonne of material collected.
Q. How much e-waste do you collect?
A. That bin fills up about every two weeks and is replaced by an empty bin. Over 2020, we collected 48 tonnes of material. The largest component is big screen or very large older televisions.
Q. Do you accept stereos and TVs in wooden cabinets?
A. Yes, if the stereo components or television is still installed in the cabinet it will be accepted.
