Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact us at info@rrfb.com.
Where are the Enviro-Depots located?
You can find locations of all ENVIRO-DEPOT™facilities here.
Why do I have to pay an environmental fee on new tires?
New tires bought in Nova Scotia are subject to a one-time environmental fee at the point of sale. Retailers submit the fee to RRFB Nova Scotia to help support the costs of collecting and processing used tires.
You may return used regulated tires to any tire retailer in Nova Scotia for free (limit four tires per return). The tires must be off the rim and free of any mud or debris. We recommend leaving used tires at your tire retailer when you buy new ones.
Why do I have to pay a deposit on beverage containers?
Nova Scotians pay a $.10 deposit on each liquor or non-liquor beverage container purchased, and can collect a $.05 refund for each container returned to an ENVIRO-DEPOT™ facility.
The remaining five cents is used to administer Nova Scotia's waste system, including operating the ENVIRO-DEPOT™ system, and supporting municipal recycling and composting programs.
My waste: What goes where?
Tires: Nova Scotians can return up to four regulated tires at a time, to any tire retailer in the province, free of charge. Tires must be off the rim and free of mud and debris. For more information about the tire recycling program, check out our Used Tires section at www.putwasteinitsplace.ca/tires.asp.
Paint: Nova Scotians can return leftover paint to any ENVIRO-DEPOT™ facility across the province, free of charge. The paint recycling program for Nova Scotia is operated by Product Care. For up to date information about the types of paint accepted and the environmental fee, please visit their website at: www.productcare.org.
Electronics: Residents and businesses in Nova Scotia can recycle electronic products that have reached their end-of useful life, free of charge, through industry-led stewardship programs. For up to date information about drop-off locations and types of electronics accepted, please visit the following websites.
- Electronics (except cell phones): www.ACEStewardship.ca
- Cell phones and batteries: www.call2recycle.ca
- Devices, including cell phones, smartphones, wireless PDAs, device batteries and pagers: www.RecycleMyCell.ca.
Styrofoam: In Nova Scotia, all Styrofoam must be disposed of with your regular trash, regardless of whether it has a recycling symbol on it or not. Unfortunately, there are not yet any facilities in Nova Scotia that are capable of recycling this material.
What about animal waste?
Cat litter and any other pet waste must be disposed of with your regular trash, except in Colchester County, where animal waste is okay to put in the green cart (no plastic or biodegradable bags, please).
In addition, any animal food bags with a plastic lining must also be disposed in regular garbage.