Private: In the News

Canada has just achieved a truly significant milestone in recycling and resource recovery. We’ve recycled 1 million tonnes of electronics through the EPRA/Recycle My Electronics program.

Canadians have responded to the program’s challenge: “The future is in your hands. Don’t let it go to waste” literally and are safely and securely diverting nearly 20 million devices from landfill across the country, every year since the electronics recycling program began.

With over 2,300 drop-off locations throughout Canada, recycling electronics has never been easier or more accessible. In fact, most of us now live within 25 km of a drop-off location.

Privacy and security concerns have long been an obstacle for consumers to feel comfortable recycling their end-of-life electronics. EPRA’s stringent regulations, training and security protocols have made the program the country’s most trusted, overcoming these concerns.

The program also ensures that both health and safety of the environment and of workers is paramount and that the end-of-life electronics we all want to recycle are prevented from being illegally exported or handled by irresponsible recyclers.

The resources from our end-of-life electronics recycled through the program are recovered and put back into the manufacturing supply chain.

“Across the country, Canadians are getting involved in actions that help them address their environmental concerns. By recycling their end-of-life electronics, they are taking the future in their hands. They’re ensuring it doesn’t go to waste by doing their part, safely and securely,” said Cliff Hacking, CEO of EPRA.

By recycling 1 million tonnes of electronics, Canadians are not letting their electronics go to waste and are diverting them from landfills, helping to protect land and waterways. In fact, globally, end-of-life electronics make up almost 70% of the toxic component of solid waste, a trend Canadians are bucking.

According to a recent report, there are almost 50 million tonnes of end-of-life electronics generated yearly, a number that is increasing at a rate of 8% per year.  That same report states that raising awareness and creating more accessible collection centres are key to increasing diversion. EPRA has developed the awareness campaign and the collection network to support this growth.

EPRA CEO Cliff Hacking goes on to add, “While recycling 1 million tonnes is a significant milestone, it’s not the finish line. We all have work to do to build on the great achievement and recycle even more of our end-of-life electronics.”

Through EPRA, Canada’s leadership role in recycling electronics continues to grow.  As levels of end-of-life electronics continue to increase to historic levels, so does the urgent need to recover these resources and ensure the protection of our environment and our future.