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E-waste: End-of-Life Electronic Equipment

What is E-waste?

Electronic waste (or e-waste) includes computers, entertainment electronics, mobile phones and other items that have reached the end of their useful life.

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E-waste in BC

BC’s Return-It Electronics program is a province-wide, end-of-life electronics recycling program available to all consumers and businesses in British Columbia. The program was created in response to an amendment to the provincial Recycling Regulation in February 2006 which called for the electronics industry to take responsibility for the lifecycle management of their products.

As of August 2007, residents of BC can drop off any of the regulated products at designated collection sites without charge, and be assured that they will be recycled responsibly through reputable Canadian industries.

Materials currently accepted under the program include desktop computers & peripherals, portable computers, modems & desktop servers, desktop printers, fax machines, and televisions.

BC’s Ministry of Environment has recently announced that the program, which has successfully diverted more than 4,200 metric tonnes of electronic waste from landfills since its launch, is set to expand in 2010. The list of acceptable electronics will soon include other household electronics such as stereos, VCRs, cellular phones, and other hand-held devices.

For information on e-waste recycling and disposal options, contact the Recycling Council of BC Hotline

Phone: 604-732-9253 (Lower Mainland)
Toll Free: 1-800-667-4321 (rest of BC)

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Articles and Documents

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Related Links

Government

Environmental Protection Division
Environment Canada - National Office of Pollution Prevention
European Union WEEE Directives
City of San Francisco Take-it-Back Resolution
US EPA Product Stewardship of Electronics

Industry Associations

Electronic Product Stewardship Canada (EPSC)
Alberta Recycling Management Authority
Saskatchewan Waste Electronic Equipment Program (SWEEP)
Electronic Industries Alliance (USA)
Industry Council for Electronic Equipment Recycling (UK)

Environmental Advocacy

European Environmental Bureau
Grass Roots Recycling Network
Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition Take-it-Back Campaign 

Multi-Sectoral

Northwest Product Stewardship Council
National Electronics Product Stewardship Initiative
Western Electronics Product Stewardship Initiative

Manufacturer's Recycling Programs

Apple and the Environment
Canon's Clean Earth Campaign
Dell Recycling
Epson Recycle Program
HP Hardware Recycling Services
IBM Asset Recovery Solutions
Lexmark Equipment Collection Program
Sony Style Notebook Trade-In Program
Toshiba's Environmental Recovery and Recycling Effort

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Other Information

For information on E-waste recycling and disposal options, contact the Recycling Council of BC Hotline

Phone: 604-732-9253 (Lower Mainland)
Toll Free: 1-800-667-4321 (rest of BC)
Email: hotline@rcbc.bc.ca

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