Deployment of Quebec program for responsible recovery and reclamation of electronic products enters a new stage

MONTREAL, Oct. 1, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Québec Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA-Québec) is pleased to announce that today marks an important stage in the deployment, on a much larger scale, of the Quebec program for the responsible recovery and reclamation of regulated electronic products. The application of an environmental handling fee, or EHF, on the cost of new regulated electronic products sold in Quebec, effective October 1, 2012, will support the financing of additional drop-off points throughout Quebec as well as cover the costs of collection, transportation and responsible recycling of electronics. These products will be sent for reuse, refurbishment and/or recycling to enterprises verified by EPRA's Recycler Qualification Office (www.rqp.ca).

Note that the main electronic products regulated at this stage include desktops and laptops; TVs and monitors; printers, fax machines, photocopiers and scanners; keyboards, mice and other peripheral equipment; traditional and cellular phones as well as answering machines and pagers. "The EHF will provide EPRA-Québec with the necessary financial resources so that Quebecers, regardless of where they live, can recycle their unwanted products with a clear conscience, knowing they will be kept out of landfill sites, diverted from illegal export to developing nations and recycled in a manner that respects the environment," said Dominique Levesque, Executive Director of EPRA-Québec.

The Quebec program for the responsible recovery and reclamation of electronic products was introduced on July 14, 2012, under the Regulation respecting the recovery and reclamation of products by enterprises. Since then, EPRA-Québec has put in place a network of drop-off points in nearly all the major Quebec regions. "Over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to expand our network to cover the whole Quebec territory. In addition, other retailers will soon be joining Bureau en Gros in offering in-store drop-off points, providing the population with even greater accessibility to our program," added Ms. Levesque.

The addresses of available drop-off points, a list of the products regulated as well as the amount of the EHF applicable are available at www.recyclermeselectroniques.ca

A recognized industry-led not-for-profit organization, EPRA-Québec is comprised of manufacturers, distributors and retailers of electronics sold in Quebec. It is responsible for implementing and operating, on behalf of its stewards, a program for the recycling of electronic products in accordance with standards established by EPRA and the requirements of the Quebec Product Stewardship Program for End-of-Life Electrical and Electronic Equipment. 

SOURCE: Association pour le recyclage des produits électroniques du Québec (ARPE-Québec)

For further information:

Media:
Anik Le Marquand
514-843-2342
[e-mail]

Information: 
Jacinthe Guy
450-444-3342, extension 8605
www.recyclermeselectroniques.ca
www.rqp.ca