News Release
Date: March 31, 2009
Electronics industry powers up new opportunities for Ontarians to recycle
unwanted computers, TVs and other equipment
Ontario Electronic Stewardship targets 60 per cent diversion from landfill
TORONTO – Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES) today launched an ambitious
program that over the next five years will divert an additional 160,000 tonnes of waste
electronics such as computers and televisions away from landfill and into reuse and
recycling solutions.
The industry-developed and operated Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
(WEEE) program is setting up a network of collection sites where consumers and
businesses can drop off unwanted electronics with assurance that they will be recycled
according to established North American environmental standards. Currently about
25,000 tonnes of WEEE are collected annually in Ontario through public and private
sector programs.
Products captured under the program include desktop and laptop computers and
peripherals such as mice, keyboards and disk drives; monitors; desktop printers; fax
machines and televisions. Other electronics such as cell phones and cameras will be
added in later phases of the program.
“The launch of the WEEE program is a significant milestone on our path to a zero-waste
future," said Ontario Environment Minister John Gerretsen. “We are looking at waste in
new ways and seeing the opportunities inherent in materials we once thought of as
‘garbage’ including our old televisions and computers. I congratulate those involved in
this program and encourage all Ontarians to do what they can for the environment," he
added.
“In this age of increasing electronic technology, too many of us—consumers and
businesses—find ourselves at a loss when it comes to dealing with unwanted waste
electronics. Our basements and spare offices are often full of old televisions and
computers,” said Carol Hochu, OES executive director. “Too often this means they end
up in the garbage or may be shipped to countries where health and environmental
standards may receive less attention than here in Ontario. By setting up a network of
certified collectors and processors, our waste electronics diversion program will make
sure these end-of-life materials are managed properly.”
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Tel: 1.888.646.1820 Email: info@ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca
Website: www.ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca
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The OES WEEE program will share consumer branding under the Do What You Can
banner with the Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) program, which was
launched in January. The aim of both industry-run programs is to divert more waste from
disposal in Ontario landfill sites. Consumers who want to find nearby collection locations
for electronic waste can go to an interactive website, www.dowhatyoucan.ca, select
“electronics” and search for the nearest collection site by municipality, postal code or
material type.
OES’s WEEE program is funded through fees paid to Ontario Electronic Stewardship by
the brand owners, first importers into Ontario and assemblers of the products designated
in the first phase. The funds will be used exclusively to pay 100 per cent of the program
costs including collection, transportation, consolidation, processing, research and
development and consumer information and education programs such as the Do What
You Can website.
The growing network of certified WEEE collection sites includes municipalities, retail
stores and community service organizations.
Beginning April 1, participating Salvation Army Thrift Stores in 37 locations throughout
Southwestern, Central and Eastern Ontario will enhance their existing electronics
collection program by expanding the types of materials they accept to include all of the
designated products.
“As an organization whose roots are deeply imbedded in community service, we
continuously look for ways to support the people who need us. We are delighted to be a
partner in this important program because it will enhance our abilities to channel more
resources into programs such as women’s shelters and addiction rehabilitation service,”
said Capt. John Murray, divisional secretary, public relations department of the Salvation
Army.
Ontario municipalities have been a mainstay of electronics recycling for years. By
offering collection programs at their environment days and waste depots, municipalities
have laid the foundation for a broad-based service across Ontario. Municipal collection
programs are often combined with other waste services.
“We are very pleased to be able to work with industry in providing our residents with
even more opportunities to ensure their unwanted electronics are reused or recycled,”
said Roger Anderson, Chair, Region of Durham, who represents Ontario municipalities
and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. “Offering easier access to collection
locations is essential to keeping this type of waste out of our landfill sites.”
“I congratulate Minister Gerretsen, Waste Diversion Ontario, and Ontario Electronic
Stewardship for developing and implementing the WEEE program. This program will
provide the funding that will allow the City of Toronto to offer innovative recovery
services to our residents, ensuring that electronic equipment is diverted from landfill
and managed in an environmentally responsible way,” said Toronto Councillor Adam
Giambrone.
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Sears Canada will join forces with OES to offer Ontarians more convenient opportunities
to recycle designated electronics. On Saturday, April 25, SEARS will host an OES
electronics “take-back” day in the parking lots of 14 of their stores in Eastern Ontario
(see below or www.dowhatyoucan.org for a complete list). The stores are located in
communities from Whitby to Ottawa. Over the next 12 months Sears is planning to host
similar collection events at stores throughout the province.
“Sears has a long and rich history of giving back to the communities we serve,” said
Dene Rogers, President and CEO, SEARS Canada. “Sears has recycled the electronics
it uses since 2006 with Ontario's most respected recycling facilities. This has meant that
more than 726,000 pounds of electronics have been recycled instead of being sent to
landfill, and has created local jobs. We are now pleased to extend the offer of recycling
electronics to our customers. This is part of our ongoing progress which demonstrates
our commitment to sustainability as a company.”
In support of the OES initiative, 17 STAPLES locations in Southwestern Ontario will be
drop off points for electronic devices commencing May 1, 2009. This pilot program will
run for 90 days to allow Staples to properly develop the internal tools necessary to meet
the needs of their customers and to assess the possibility of program expansion. This
program will allow customers to drop off computer devices and peripherals. Televisions
are excluded from the Staples program.
"STAPLES Canada truly understands the importance of responsible corporate
citizenship. We feel committed to the communities we work and live in, and we take
action by regularly developing new programs that offer positive and significant
contributions. We are proud to be part of the Ontario Electronic Stewardship WEEE
collection program--a perfect complement to our already successful ink recycling
program,” said STAPLES Canada President, Steve Matyas.
“It’s extremely gratifying to see another waste diversion program join the successful blue
box and municipal hazardous or special waste programs,” said Glenda Gies, executive
director, Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO). “As the agency that oversees these programs
on behalf of the Ministry of the Environment, we are proud of the partnerships we are
forging in programs designed to reduce waste and protect the environment.”
-30LEARN MORE
WEEE Media Backgrounder (enclosed)
Find the closest collection site for WEEE: www.dowhatyoucan.ca (electronics)
www.ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca
www.wdo.ca
MEDIA CONTACT:
Barbara McConnell, Communications, Phone: 647-777-3362; cell: 416-452-2373;
off-hours 613-471-1816
Email: bmcconnell@csr.org