Canadian Province Introduces Electronics Recycling Program

The trend toward state and provincial legislation that addresses the recycling of obsolete electronics continues to gain steam as another Canadian province has introduced legislation that aims to tackle the growing problem of what to do with old electronics.

Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister Richard Brown, right, with Gerard MacLellan, executive director of Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship, the industry organization that will manage the program. Credit Brian Simpson, Provincial Photographer

The provincial government of Prince Edward Island (PEI) will be introducing a province-wide electronics recycling program beginning July 1, 2010, says Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister Richard Brown.

In an announcement, Brown noted that the government has accepted a plan from the Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship (ACES), an industry organization representing electronics manufacturers, distributors and other stakeholders, to manage the recycling program.

ACES has operated a similar electronics recycling program in Nova Scotia since 2008.

“As an industry-led, non-profit association, ACES is looking forward to providing a responsible electronics recycling program for residents of Prince Edward Island,” says Gerard MacLellan, ACES’ executive director. “We’re committed to working closely with the Government of PEI and Island Waste Management Corp. to ensure unwanted electronics are diverted from landfills and recycled responsibly.”

The ACES program is funded through an environmental handling fee paid by consumers and producers of electronics products.

Through the program, a fee will be applied to the purchase of new electronic products to assist with the cost of the recycling program. The fees will vary from 40 cents for digital cameras, $2.10 for laptop computers and $10.50 for desktop computers.

Products that can be recycled include computers, televisions, portable stereos and CD players, VCRs and DVD players, and non-cellular telephones. These products will no longer be accepted in residential solid waste carts or commercial waste collections.

ACES will work with Island Waste Management Corporation to set up drop-off locations across the province.