The Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable (MARR) is a not-for-profit stewardship agency created in 2012 to implement and operate a stewardship plan for end-of-life major household appliances in the province of British Columbia (BC) on behalf of the major appliance “producers” who are obligated under the BC Recycling Regulation. The stewardship plan is approved by the Board of Directors.

Legal background

MARR has been established in accordance with the British Columbia Environmental Act and its Recycling Regulation in 2012.

WEEE categories covered

The program covers most types of large appliances that are used for residential use, including dual fuel natural gas or propane products provided the other power source is electricity. Appliances used in or sold for industrial, commercial and/or institutional applications that are essentially the same as major household appliances, are also included.

Members

MARR had two members and 150 participants (producers) in 2023.

Financing system

MARR is fully funded by Administrative Program Fees which are charged to the purchaser of the appliance.  Refrigerated appliances containing refrigerant gasses are $6.50 and non-refrigerated appliances are $2.00 (in 2023).

Collection system

MARR has over 200 collection sites in the Province of BC, Canada.  They are made up of local and regional government sites, retailers, metal recyclers, private recycling depots, and first nations communities.

Logistic and treatment partners

MARR uses the existing market-based supply chain for the transportation and processing of large appliances.  Once the appliances have been depolluted, they are sold to the metal recycling industry for their inherent value and are processed in automotive shredders.

Results

Collection is measured in number of units.  MARR’s network collected 359,734 units in 2022.  Based on the average weights per unit the estimated total weight is around 23,968 metric tons.

Special features

MARR services remote and first nations community by funding collection events to remove appliances in hard to reach locations.