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The Consumer Electronics Marketers of Canada (CEMC), an Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) Council, announced the Ontario government’s approval of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Program. The Program was developed by Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) in cooperation with Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES), the Industry Funding Organization established by WDO. CEMC members, largely made up of manufacturers, importers, and distributors of consumer electronic products in Canada, have been actively participating in the development and endorsement of recycling programs in Canada through their involvement in Electronics Product Stewardship Canada (EPSC).
"The newly-enacted WEEE Program is an excellent testament of industry and government working together on the delivery of smart marketplace solutions,"said Larry Moore, Vice President, CEMC. "The Ontario government’s acceptance of this Program sets a good precedent for environmental stewardship and the promotion of reducing, reusing, and recycling solid waste."
In Ontario alone, an estimated 91,000 tons of computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, and televisions are generated each year, with a current collection rate of 27%. The remaining waste is either landfilled or exported overseas. Currently, 167 waste electronic collection sites are in place across the province; under the WEEE Program, the number will increase to more than 650 sites within five years.
The WEEE program will consist of multiple phases. Phase 1 will address desktop and portable computers, computer peripherals, monitors, printers, fax machines, and televisions. A plan for second phase materials, such as phones, cameras, and audiovisual equipment, will follow approximately 12 months later.
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