Canada Introduces e-Waste Regulations

Canada has recently introduced e-waste regulations, similar to the European Union's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive. The aim is to cut the amount of waste, especially electronic and electrical waste going into the general household waste stream, and to remove the burden from end users to pay for the products at their end-of-life for treatment and disposal.

As a start, the scope of products being considered for regulation is focused on computer monitors, laptop and notebook computers, CPUs, printers and televisions. Environment Canada has stated that more than 140,000 tons of computer equipment, phones, televisions, stereos, and small home appliances accumulate in Canadian landfills each year.

However, the e-waste regulations also focus on valuable resources such as ferrous metals, aluminum, and copper, which can be recycled and reused, however, are currently being sent to landfill with the electronic waste. Some estimates suggest computers alone contain 4,400 tons of ferrous metal, 3,050 tons of aluminum and 1,500 tons of copper.

Under the philosophy of Extended Producer Responsibility it is recognized that brand owners and manufacturers are in the best position to control the longevity, content, and recyclability of the products through their design and markets.