Working in cooperation with ACES (Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship), a body representing electronics manufacturers, retailers and other industry stakeholders, the government of Prince Edward Island will enable the setup of an extended producer responsibility approach that will see an environmental handling fee attached to each electronic product sold and used to pay for recycling and proper waste management of e-waste.

There is not currently an e-waste handling system on Prince Edward Island.

“Consumer electronics products like computers, television and audio equipment are items we all use every day. But these devices can pose real environmental challenges if they are not disposed of properly once their useful life span has expired,” said the minister. A typical CRT computer monitor can contain upwards of 7 lbs of lead, along with significant quantities of other caustic metals and chemicals.

“By encouraging the setup of an e-waste management system in cooperation with ACES, we are making certain that manufacturers and distributors ensure that discarded electronic goods are reused, recycled or properly disposed of.”

A 2006 study of electronic waste in Atlantic Canada found that Islanders dispose of approximately 9,000 computers and televisions annually, along with an estimated 18,000 computer peripherals including printers, keyboards and scanners.

The e-waste system, set to begin in early 2010, will be operated by the electronic industry representatives and funded by a surcharge levied at the point of purchase. The surcharges range from as little as $0.90 for a computer mouse to $45 for televisions larger than 46 inches. All collected environmental handling fees will pay directly for the reuse and recycling system, with no money coming into government hands.

This system is quite similar to the electronic waste management program that has been operating successfully in Nova Scotia since February 2008. The goal of the e-waste program in Prince Edward Island would be to remove over 500 metric tonnes of electronics from our solid waste system.

“Building on the success of our Waste Watch program, our beverage container management system and our discarded tire handling system, the e-waste program will help Prince Edward Island improve its record as a leader in the responsible handling of wastes,” said Minister Brown.

BACKGROUNDER

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND’S NEW E-WASTE SYSTEM

Amendments to the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) will allow establishment of an e-waste recycling and disposal system operated by the electronics industry and funded by environmental handling fees paid by electronics purchasers. This recycling service does not currently exist on Prince Edward Island.

Changes to the EPA will allow development of regulations for e-waste. An e-waste handling and recycling system is expected to be operational in early 2010.

The new system is being developed by the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry in cooperation with ACES (Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship) a group representing manufacturers and distributors in the consumer electronics industry.

E- waste, if improperly handled, can be sources of environmental pollutants – i.e., the cathode ray tube found in many televisions and computer monitors can contain several pounds of lead.

E- waste collected on the Island is currently incinerated at the Energy from Waste plant or buried at the provincial landfill.

The e-waste program, to be administered by ACES, will assure discarded electronics are properly recycled. Depots will be established around the province for drop-off of e-waste for processing.

The e-waste program is to be funded directly through environmental handling fees levied at point of sale. Money goes directly to private operators of the e-waste program. There is no charge to the consumer at the drop-off depots.

E-waste recycling programs are now in place in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Prince Edward Island’s e-waste system will be designed to closely model that in Nova Scotia, which has been operating successfully since February 2008.

At the June, 2008 meeting of the Atlantic Environment Ministers in Wolfville, NS, ministers agreed to work together on implementation of e-waste regulations in all four provinces.