Keeping Computers Out of the Dump

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 03:56 AM

Starting today, a new, industry led program to deal with the safe reuse or disposal of electronic waste officially gets underway.

According to Stats Canada, Canadians send more than 140 thousand tonnes of electronics to landfills every year. In Prince George, a study done in February on 60 samples of 150 kg's of garbage indicated 2.4% of the garbage (212 kgs) was in the form of electronics.

The real problem is the materials used in those electronics, toxic metals like lead, mercury and cadmium which can end up n surface and groundwater.

The materials are considered valuable and reusable so old electronics are often exported to countries where labour practices are poor.

The Electronics Stewardship Association of B.C. (ESABC) has contracted Encorp Pacific to collect and recycle computers, monitors, desktop printers and TVs. ESABC represents the majority of electronics producers selling products in B.C. although other organizations are also submitting recycling and reuse plans for Ministry of Environment approval. Reuse programs for functional electronics are currently operating independently, but it is government's intention to encourage closer collaboration between reuse and recycling facilities.

In Prince George, the City’s Manager of Waste Management, Tom Kadla, says the City is starting with the idea that the swap shop at the Foothills Landfill is one place to start. “If a computer doesn’t suit your needs anymore, but can be used by someone else, then it can be dropped off there. If no one picks it up after a couple of days, we will take it to Metro Materials in the BCR.” That’s the company doing recycling for the City.

Kadla says the City is also going to set up special drop boxes at the transfer stations so the unwanted electronics won’t end up with the usual garbage.

The new e-waste stewardship program is being paid for by everyone who buys a new piece of electrical and electronic equipment. That is the special fee added to your bill.

Unwanted computers, or electronics can also be dropped off at the BBK Bottle Depot in Prince George.

For more information about the program, you can visit www.recycling.gov.bc.ca

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Posted on Wednesday, August 01, 2007 03:56 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: acrider54 on August 1 2007 6:01 AM

Another slush fund tax

Posted by: Fancycamper on August 1 2007 7:00 AM

It is good to do something with the old computers. There are so many, and the are obsolete by the time you buy them. They should be made to last longer, the older ones were built to last longer, but with technology growing so fast they have quit with quality and gone for quanity.

It is too bad that all things are going that way. They make every thing cheaper to replace then to fix. The government should clamp down on manufacturers.

Posted by: Death to Socialism on August 1 2007 10:47 AM

I've got a shoe box full of old cell phones, too!

Posted by: jonnypg on August 1 2007 1:57 PM

plus all the gold they take out of the
"older" computers!...money in that too.

Posted by: camoose on August 1 2007 9:21 PM

Nice touch by the electronic manufacturers; get the public to pay for the destruction of old electronics so people will have to buy new ones instead of fixing up old ones. $45 extra for a new TV? I guess the Governments will be collecting GST & PST on that fee also. Where will these used electronics be recycled? I've heard a rumor that they will be fried in Trail at the smelter. If that is the case, can this be good for the environment? Just another cash grab from where I sit. Maybe this fall I will arrange a "TV Run" to the US or Alberta to stock up on electronics that will be cheaper. I guess I would have to dodge the Electronic Police if I did that.

Posted by: Harbinger on August 2 2007 9:33 PM

It would be nice to keep garbage OUT of computers. But then again, define garbage.