Electronic products industry offers Quebeckers a program for end-of-life electronics

MONTREAL, July 19, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Association pour le recyclage des produits électroniques du Québec (ARPE-Québec) is pleased to begin implementing a Quebec program for the recovery and responsible recycling of regulated electronic products. Old electronics recovered in the province will no longer end up in landfill sites but will be sent to recyclers and processors certified by the Recycler Qualification Office to divert the equipment responsibly.

"Quebec consumers and companies appreciate the new technological innovations their electronic devices provide, but many of them don't know what to do with their old phones, televisions or computers. The recovery network managed by ARPE-Québec will provide them with accessible drop-off centres for convenient and environmentally-sound recycling," said Dominique Levesque, Executive Director of ARPE-Québec.

As of July 14, 2012, ARPE-Québec is funding the recovery programs that have been set up by the municipalities of Montreal, Quebec City, Lévis, Sherbrooke and Rimouski, as well as Bureau en Gros retail outlets throughout the province.

The public can divert from landfill a wide range of electronics such as old computers, televisions, cellphones and printers at seven ecocentres in Montreal, five in Quebec City, two in Sherbrooke, and one each in Lévis and Rimouski. In addition, there will be 70 drop-off points at Bureau en Gros stores. To view the list of drop-off points, see. http://recyclermeselectroniques.ca/eng/drop-off-locations/

By October 1, 2012, the date on which the environmental handling fee (EHF) will be included on new and regulated electronic products sold in Quebec, ARPE-Québec will begin deploying the full electronic products recycling program to ensure that it is effective, efficient and accessible to people in all regions of Quebec.

A recognized non-profit organization, ARPE-Québec is comprised of producers, distributors and retailers of electronics sold in Quebec. It is responsible for implementing and operating a program, on behalf of its members, for the recovery of electronic waste in accordance with standards established by the Electronic Products Recycling Association(EPRA) and the requirements of the Quebec Product Stewardship Program for End-of-Life Electrical and Electronic Equipment.

Catherine Paquette
514-843-1918
www.recyclermeselectroniques.ca/eng/
www.rqp.ca