A host of additional device types have been added to the electronics recycling programs in two of Canada’s Atlantic provinces.
The Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA), a nationwide stewardship group, manages extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for electronics in nine Canadian provinces (in Ontario, a dozen producer-responsibility organizations are registered to run recycling programs).
Among the programs EPRA manages are those in in Newfoundland & Labrador and Prince Edward Island. Starting this month, EPRA began accepting the following devices in Newfoundland & Labrador province, population 520,000: external storage drives and modems, electronic readers and video game devices, navigation systems and countertop microwaves. The additional device types, approved in June, join those that were already accepted by the program: TVs and monitors, computers and peripherals, phones, desktop printers/multifunction devices, audio/video systems, and home theater in a box systems.
Meanwhile, also beginning Aug. 1, EPRA began accepting additional small appliances on Prince Edward Island, population 161,000. Microwave ovens were on the list of device types that were added in 2019 to Prince Edward Island’s program, which already accepted many types of consumer electronics.
As of Aug. 1, 2021, the following appliances have been added to the Prince Edward Island program: clocks; weight scales; fans, heaters, air purifiers and dehumidifiers (air conditioners not included); garment care appliances such as irons; personal care devices such as toothbrushes, electric shavers, hair straightener and blow dryers; many types of kitchen countertop appliances; and floor-cleaning devices such as vacuum cleaners and steam mops.
“I am proud of the work we are doing in Atlantic Canada,” said Gerard MacLellan, executive director of EPRA Atlantic Canada. “In recent years we’ve supported new recycling regulations in Nova Scotia, and a renewed program plan in New Brunswick. This year, we embrace the expanded list of obligated electronic products in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are also delighted to expand our electronics category to small appliances in [Prince Edward Island].”
