In 2020 Alberta government took the initiative to recycle more than 500 types of electronic devices. This initiative was practiced under the name of the Electronics Recycling pilot Program. Under the banner of this program approximately, 14, 500 tonnes of e-waste was successfully diverted from landfills and into recycling centers. 

Following the success of the program, the provincial government on August 13, 2024 announced that they are changing the status of the program from pilot to permanent starting from April 1, 2025. 

Right now, around 8500 tonnes of electronic waste are effectively handled annually under the program. A  spokesperson for the program estimated this figure to settle to 5500 tonnes as the program continues. The types of electronic devices that are recycled through this initiative include garden tools, power tools, small appliances, cell phones, video games and more. 

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The breakthrough that Alberta aims to achieve with this program is the development of a program that allows for the recycling of solar panels and wind turbines, which the state is still devoid of. With around 800,000 tonnes of solar panels reaching the end of their life cycle by 2050, this initiative can indeed be a game changer for Alberta. 

Elaborating on the need of the program and what role it can play in the future for ensuring sustainability, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz said, “ Building on the success of the Electronics Recycling Pilot Program, we are stepping up to reduce waste -- especially when it comes to proactively addressing materials from wind and solar electricity. We’re not just focused on what Albertans want to recycle today, but also what they are going to want to recycle 20 years from now.” 

The program offers convenient drop-off locations for residents and businesses who wish to recycle their old electronics and promises to establish as many drop-off sites as possible. 

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This is new. So, of course it's not going to happen overnight," clarified Minister Schulz in a media conference from August 13th. "We are going to work with the Alberta Recycling Management Authority to start engaging with industry leaders this fall. This includes looking at what fees, policies, and additional programs are needed to move this forward. This also includes looking at what level of fees will be needed to ensure that these products are going to be able to be managed in this system and what types of regulations are needed to keep these materials out of the landfills."

Recycle Technologies salutes such initiatives and the efforts required to bring them to the implementation stage. As Minister Schulz advocates for the importance of keeping used electronics out of landfills, we take this opportunity to burn this torch in the USA. 

The experts at Recycle Technologies work day in and day out to develop and promote sustainable mechanisms for electronic waste disposal that are available to the masses and do not harm the environment. 

Source: What Opportunities Does E-Waste Disposal Provide? | ICT Reverse