What has happened?
The Government of British Columbia has issued an amendment to the Recycling Regulation to include electronics equipment. The amendment requires all “first sellers” of designated electronics(computer equipment and TVs) to be part of an approved industry take-back and recycling program.
What is the Encorp Electronics Return-It program?
BC’s Return-It Electronics is a province-wide, end-of-life electronics recycling program available to all consumers and businesses in British Columbia. As of August 1st, 2007, you can drop off any of the regulated products at designated collection sites without charge, and be assured they will be recycled responsibly.
When can I return my used electronics?
The program will be launched across British Columbia on August 1, 2007.
How is the program funded?
The program is financed by an environmental handling fee (EHF) levied on the sale of new products in the designated categories. 100% of the program revenue will be used for the administration, collection, transportation, and responsible recycling of end-of-life electronics. Commencement of fee collection will coincide with the launch of the program.
Is this program funded by taxpayers?
No. The cost of the program is not borne by general taxpayers, but by consumers and producers of designated electronics products.
How does the fee program work?
A fee will be applied to the purchase price of new desktop computers, computer monitors, notebook computers, desktop printers, fax machines, and televisions. That fee will be used to pay for the recycling of all regulated items returned as of the program start date.
How much are the fees?
The following fees will be charged on the sale of new electronics products:
- Desktop Computers $10 (including accessories)
- Computer Monitors $12
- Notebook Computers $5
- Desktop Printers and Fax Machines $8
- Televisions $15 - $45 (depending on size)
How will I know whether I’ve paid a fee on my purchase?
The environmental handling fee (EHF) charged on the sale of new electronics products included in the program may appear on your sales receipt.
Why should I have to pay a fee on the purchase of new electronics?
The BC Return-It Electronics program is an important initiative for the environment. In February 2006 the BC provincial government amended the recycling regulation to require proper treatment of end-of-life electronics. Electronic waste can contain hazardous materials that could pose environmental problems in our landfill sites. The program is not funded by general taxpayers or the government, but by consumers, producers, retailers and distributors of electronics products. Many of the items returned by customers will be quite old (historic waste) or were produced by manufacturers no longer in business (orphan waste). Environmental Handling Fees (EHF) on the sale of new products assists in covering the costs of recycling historic and orphaned waste. The fee will ensure that end-of-life electronics are processed responsibly and do not end up in our landfills or exported to developing nations.
What are the regulated electronic items included in the program?
The following ‘end-of-life’ items are accepted in the BC Return-It Electronics program:
Desktop Computers
Includes Central Processing Units (CPUs), mouse, keyboards, cables and other components within the computer. This includes desktop computers, desktop computers acting as servers, and all associated keyboards and cabling.
Computer Monitors
A display device used for displaying images from computers or other sources that does not meet the definition of a television. This includes traditional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) and flat panel display technologies.
Notebook Computers
Includes portable computers such as notebook, laptop and tablet PCs.
Desktop Printers and Fax Machines
This includes printing devices that are designed to reside on a work surface, and includes various printing technologies, including Laser & LED (electrophotographic), ink jet, dot matrix, thermal, dye sublimation, etc. and "multi-function" or "all in one" devices that perform different tasks such as copy, scan, fax, print, etc.
Televisions
A video display device with an imbedded television tuner. This includes various display technologies, such as traditional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), flat panel or rear projection
Please go to our website for more detailed information electronicsrecyclingbc.ca
Can I return my stereo/DVD player/cell phone?
No, at this time stereos, CD players, DVD players and cell phones are not included in the program. Also not included are computers or televisions that are part of, bolted to, built in to vehicles, marine vessels, or commercial/industrial equipment.
What is ‘end-of-life’?
‘End-of-life’ refers to used electronic items that are obsolete and un-useable electronic items that consumers have chosen to deliver to a Return-It Electronics Collection Site for recycling in this program.
Isn’t it important to re-use before recycling?
Absolutely. While our program is designed to manage end-of-life electronic products that have exhausted their reuse potential, we strongly encourage users to first reuse their products. We recommend reusing within your own family first. If you choose to donate to a charity, be sure to research how the charity uses the equipment and how they will dispose of it when it is no longer useful. Make sure you have backed up your data and wiped your drives clean prior to donation or passing on your old electronics.
Will I get money back when I return my used electronics?
There will be no refund paid back to you when you return electronics for recycling as this is not a deposit program. Under the Return-It Electronics program, you can return your electronics at no charge and be assured they will be recycled responsibly.
Where can I return my used electronics?
You can bring them to a designated Return-It Electronics Collection Site. To find the collection site nearest you visit electronicsrecyclingbc.ca
What if I had a large volume of obsolete electronics?
Contact Encorp directly for assistance in organizing a large order delivery or pickup. Call 1-800-330-9767
Why is this program important?
Electronic waste contains valuable resources such as metals that can and should be recycled. In addition they can contain hazardous materials that could pose environmental problems in our landfill sites. This program ensures that electronics are processed and recycled in a safe and environmentally sound manner thereby keeping them out of landfills. This program also ensures that obsolete electronic components and electronic scrap is not exported to developing nations.
Who is managing the program?
The program is being conducted by Electronics Stewardship Association of British Columbia (ESABC), an industry led, not-for-profit stewardship agency and is being managed and administered by Encorp Pacific (Canada), a federally incorporated not-for-profit product stewardship corporation.
Why should I recycle my used electronics?
Electronic waste - old, obsolete electronics - is piling up in our landfill sites. Most commodities found in electronic waste can be recycled and recovered. Steel, glass, copper, aluminum, plastic and precious metals can be extracted and reused in new products.
Electronic waste can contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and brominated flame retardants. These substances of concern build up over time and can cause environmental problems. The Industry (members of ESABC) continues to make advancements in the reduction and elimination of the use of some of these materials. The Return-It Electronics program ensures that returned end-of-life electronics containing these substances of concern will be kept out of landfills and will be recycled in a safe and responsible way.
What is the Electronics Stewardship Association of British Columbia (ESABC)?
ESABC is a BC based non-profit, multi-stakeholder organization created by EPS Canada which itself is a joint effort of the Information Technology Association of Canada and Electro-Federation Canada. ESABC is comprised of representatives from the information technology and retail sector with a vested interest in a common goal to reduce the environmental footprint of IT and consumer electronics products at their end-of-life period. EPSC consists of more than 20 leading Canadian electronics manufacturers working together to promote, design and implement sustainable solutions for the recycling of end-of-life electronics. epsc.ca
Why Encorp Pacific?
Encorp Pacific was selected for this program because of their experience in environmental stewardship. Encorp Pacific’s mandate on behalf of ESABC is to develop and manage a consumer-friendly and cost-effective system to recover regulated electronics products from consumers and ensure that they are recycled in a safe and environmentally-sound manner and not landfilled or shipped to developing nations.
Where will the collected electronics go?
Following collection, designated end-of-life equipment will be moved to consolidation sites in selected areas of the province where transport-efficient loads of sorted material types will be assembled. Full loads of collected designated end-of-life material are then transported to approved processing and recycling contractors. All recyclers will be under contract with ESABC and required to meet Electronics Product Stewardship Canada (EPSC) Recycling Vendor Qualification Standards to ensure materials are processed in an environmentally sound manner with appropriate health, safety and export provisions.
epsc.ca/recycle
How are electronics recycled?
Recycling of electronics involves processing to recover raw materials such as metals, glass and plastics.
Electronics are usually separated into the following categories:
Non-Hazardous Materials
Ferrous and non-ferrous materials, including steel, aluminum, copper, wires and cables, other metals (brass, bronze, metal fines), plastics, wood and glass (non-leaded).
Electronic scrap
Cables and wires, printed circuit boards (high, medium and low grade), components, including hard drives, chips and other electronic components.
Hazardous material
Traditional Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT), leaded plasma display glass and other leaded glass, rechargeable batteries, non-rechargeable batteries, including alkaline, lead acid, and coin cell batteries on circuit boards, mercury bearing lamps and switches, components containing polychlorinated biphenyls, ink and toner cartridges.
If I return my used computer, how do I know my personal information won’t be seen or stolen?
Once an electronic item has been delivered to an authorized Return-It Electronics Collection Site it will not be reused, all items collected will be recycled. For your own personal security you should take steps to ensure that no private data remains on your computer. When you recycle your end-of-life electronics every effort will be made to ensure the privacy and security of any personal information, however the Return-It System can accept no liability for any data that remains on the computer.
What is the electronics industry doing to reduce the impact of their products on the environment?
The electronics industry in Canada, including the members of ESABC, are developing initiatives to reduce the impact of electronics on the environment. Efforts focus on five key areas of improvement: chemical management; energy efficiency; materials management; design for recycling; and product expandability. Specific examples include altering designs to produce longer-lasting, more energy-efficient and less-polluting equipment, producing more environmentally sound products by moving to eliminate environmentally sensitive chemicals, developing and manufacturing devices that deliver more functionality, and reduce costs and resources needed in production, packaging, transportation and end-of-life management. For more information, visit epsc.ca. From here you can find links to each member companies and environmental information.