What would you like to Recycle?

Metal

scrap metal, barbeque, barbecue, BBQ, metal hangers, bikes, aluminum, brass, bronze, cast iron, copper, lead, steel, zinc, frying pan, wire, metal patio furniture

Glossary
Metal

Metal is banned from the garbage since it is one of the easiest material to recycle. Any item at least 80% metal, such as bicycles, brass musical instruments, lead sinkers, copper pipe/wire or cast iron cookware can be recycled.

Some residential metal items (aluminum foil and plates, refundable beverage containers, tin cans) can be recycled for free through the provincial Recycle BC program. In the Capital Region this is available through the curbside blue box recycling program as well as some drop off locations.

If you have larger quantities or other scrap metal, take it to a scrap metal recycling facility.

If you have zinc supplements to dispose of, see Medications.

Reduce | Reuse | Recycle | Facilities

How do I go green?

Consider repairing items whenever possible instead of purchasing new.
Choose cans rather than plastic bottles as recycling options are easier on the environment and longer lasting. Recycling aluminum does not involve downcycling. An old can is made into a new can, over and over, unlike plastic, which is usually remade into a lower quality plastic.

Donate functional metal items to a charity, community group, school or church (keeping in mind that these groups can’t use items that need to be repaired) or offer it for free online through social media or an online classifieds service.

Try the ReStore for door hardware and plumbing materials and antique stores or auction houses for brass furniture such as beds. Most music stores carry a wide range of used instruments.

Some metal recycling facilities will pay for non-ferrous metals (metals that don’t contain iron, so they aren’t magnetic). Contact facilities directly regarding restrictions, fees paid and charges.

Facilities

  • A&P Disposal & Recycling

    6220 Marilyn
    Sooke
    250.642.4456

  • Brentwood Auto & Metal Recyclers

    7481 West Saanich Road
    Saanichton
    250.665.7282

  • DL's Recycling Centre

    6844 Oldfield Rd
    Saanichton
    250.544.3103

  • Ellice Recycle

    524 David Street
    Victoria
    250.386.4342

  • GFL Environmental (formerly Alpine, and Terrapure Environmental)

    1045 Dunford Avenue
    Victoria
    250.474.5145

  • H.L. Disposal & Lawn Services Ltd.

    334 Hillside Ave
    Victoria
    250.381.2020

  • Hartland Depot

    1 Hartland Avenue
    Victoria
    250.360.3030

  • Laurie's Recycling & Integrated Resource Mgmt. Inc / Laurie's Garbage & Recycling

    295 Park Drive
    Salt Spring Island
    250.653.9279

  • Mayne Island Recycling Depot

    390 Campbell Bay Road
    Mayne Island
    250.539.3383

  • Oak Bay Public Works Yard (Oak Bay residents only)

    1771 Elgin Road
    Oak Bay
    250.598.4501

  • Pender Island Recycling Depot

    4400 Otter Bay Road
    Pender Island
    250.629.6962

  • Pender Island Waste Management Ltd


    Pender Island
    250.629.6690

  • Port Renfrew Garbage & Recycling Depot

    17055 Parkinson Road
    Port Renfrew
    1.800.663.4425

  • Radius Recycling (formerly Schnitzer)

    307 David Street
    Victoria
    250.381.5865

  • ReStore - Habitat for Humanity Westshore

    849 Orono Avenue
    Victoria
    250.386.7867

  • Salt Spring Garbage and Recycling

    360 Blackburn Road
    Salt Spring Island
    250.537.2167

  • Saturna Island Recycling Depot

    101 Harris Road
    Saturna Island
    250.539.8080

  • Serenity on Saturna

    103 East Point Road
    Saturna Island
    250.539.3385

  • Williams Scrap Iron & Metals

    2690 Munns Rd
    Victoria
    250.479.8335

    • The Environmental Story

    Because of the amount of energy needed to create new aluminum, as well as the acidification problems associated with its production, recycling aluminum is far easier on the environment. 

    The recycling of brass can go on infinitely, without any loss of quality, making it a prime candidate for recycling and reuse. 

    Copper is completely recyclable when found in its raw state or from post-consumer products and it is the third most recycled metal after iron and aluminum.

    Recycling a tonne of steel keeps 1.5 tonnes of iron ore in the mine and saves 40% of the water and 75% of the energy used to make virgin steel.