Ontario to change how e-waste is processed
Dianne Saxe
Environmental Law Specialist
Each year, Canadians spend millions
of dollars on the latest electronic devices. From digital cameras and
laptops to video game systems and televisions, Statistics Canada estimates
that in 2004, this figured topped $880 million.
As we replace more and more of these devices in favour of newer, quicker
and fancier products, we are increasingly challenged to find safe and
smart ways of disposing of the older equipment.
For instance, a few years ago, consumers were replacing their computers
every three or four years. Now, a quarter of computer owners replace their
machines every year. The average Canadian home computer is 2.5 years old,
down from 2.7 in 2006. While this may be good for businesses and
manufactures, there is the problem of what to do with all those
"old" items.
The United Nations says that e-waste is growing and estimates that 20 to
50 million tonnes of electronic waste is generated every year world wide.
In Canada, we send nearly three-quarters of our annual discarded
electronic products to the local landfill; much of the rest is exported
overseas. This amounts to over 140,000 tonnes of e-waste each year, with
over 70,000 tonnes being produced in Ontario alone.
The threat of e-waste
Landfills contain all sorts of materials - from your old desk chair,
to that worn out mattress - much of which is benign. But televisions,
computer monitors and other high tech electronic devices are particularly
unsuitable for landfill, because they are full of heavy metals. Some of
these metals are too valuable to throw away. Others, such as lead, cadmium
and mercury, are too toxic to put in the ground, where they leach into
ground and surface water. One quarter of the glass in CRT monitors, for
example, is typically made of the potent neurotoxin, lead.
What is being done?
Over the last year, government-owned Waste Diversion Ontario has been
working on a plan for an industry-funded waste diversion program for Waste
Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE). A draft of Phase I of the Plan
was released for public comment on January 14, 2008; a link to it is
available at http://envirolaw.ca.
The Plan must be finalized by March 31, 2008.
As directed by the Minister of Environment, Phase 1 will cover desktop and
notebook computers, peripherals, monitors, printers/ fax machines and
televisions. They hope to recover 48% of Phase I e-waste the first year,
increasing to 65% by 2013. Phase II will deal with telephones, stereos,
PDAs, copiers, radios, speakers and cameras; Phase III will cover other
electronics.
Where will the money come from?
Funding for the Plan is likely to be provided by electronics
manufacturers and vendors through a new non-profit corporation called
Ontario Electronic Stewardship. The total cost is expected to be at least
$48 million per year. They may recover the cost through an extra charge
when electronics are sold.
If commodity prices stay high, it is also possible that the metal in old
electronics could be worth enough to pay for their collection. Many
devices contain copper and precious metals such as gold and silver. In a
single year, roughly 1,600 tonnes of copper, 35 tonnes of silver, 1.5
tonnes of palladium, and 3.4 tonnes of gold could be recovered by
recycling 100 million cell phones. These metals are valuable since they
can be easily re-captured and have already been refined. In fact,
electronic scrap metals can be cheaper and more valuable than traditional
scrap metals found in other products like cars. As a result, mining giant
Xstrata PLC has become the world's largest consumer of e-scrap; Teck
Cominco is also considering refining e-waste.
How can you reduce e-waste?
The best way to reduce the amount of e-waste is to replace your
household high tech electronic gadgets less often. Consider the money you
may save by holding onto each gadget a while longer. Chances are that the
new plasma television you have your eye on will be better and cheaper next
year. Try updating the software and memory on your computer instead of
throwing it out. If you do need to get rid of your computer, camera or
phone, maybe give it to that cousin, friend or sibling who doesn't have
one. Some programs, charities and schools accept donations of used
electronics. Check on-line for one near you, or offer it free on Craig's
List (but remember to erase all your data first).
For more information about properly disposing your electronic equipment,
speak with your municipality or contact the manufacturer.
