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
    landfillTORONTO, March 31 /CNW/ - 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."
    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.
    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."LEARN MORE

    WEEE Media Backgrounder (enclosed)

    Find the closest collection site for WEEE:
    www.dowhatyoucan.ca (electronics)

    www.ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca

    www.wdo.ca

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