Electronics Recycling in Saskatchewan

Electronics recycling is governed by The Electronic Equipment Stewardship Regulations which requires first sellers (stewards) such as retailers, distributors, and manufacturers of regulated products to manage those products at the end of their useful life. This can be done by a steward itself or a group of stewards can use a third-party to manage its obligation. In Saskatchewan, the Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA) provides this service on the stewards’ behalf and manages the Recycle My Electronics program.

EPRA is an industry-led, not-for-profit organization which is responsible for implementing and operating, on behalf of its stewards, the Product Stewardship program approved by the Government of Saskatchewan. This program covers the recovery and reclamation of electronic products in accordance with the Electronics Recycling Standard (ERS) and the Recycler Qualification Program (RQP).

Saskatchewan is an international pioneer in product stewardship for end-of-life electronics. In 2006 it implemented regulation for North America’s first industry-led EPR (extended producer responsibility) program for collecting and responsibly recycling a broad range of regulated electronics.

  • No matter how old, just about everything from televisions to computers to microwaves can be recycled. Electronics are filled with resources – glass, plastic gold, silver, copper, and rare earth metals – that can be recovered and recycled. End-of-useful life electronics need to be kept out of landfills and out of the hands of irresponsible recyclers or those that may illegally export them. A detailed list of what electronics can be recycled in Saskatchewan is available on the Recycle My Electronics website.

  • Qualifying electronic devices can be dropped off at over 100 drop-off locations throughout the province for safe and secure recycling. These locations include SARCAN Recycling Depots, businesses, and municipal facilities. Additionally, communities can host collection events and businesses can request pickup (based on specific criteria). Information on drop-off locations and events can be found here.

  • Once collected items are sent to an EPRA-approved recycling facility for dismantling and the removal of any substances of concern for proper downstream management. EPRA only works with recyclers who have been verified under the national Electronics Recycling Standard (ERS), which was designed by the electronics industry to ensure that end-of-life electronics are managed in a safe and environmentally sound manner and that the health and safety of workers and handlers are protected. The resources that are recovered and recycled are put back into the manufacturing supply chain.

  • Funding of EPRA is through Environmental Handling Fees (EHFs) that are applied on the sale of all new electronic products regulated in Saskatchewan. It is not a tax nor is it a refundable deposit. The EHF on each item in the program is based on the actual cost to recycle the materials contained in the product. All program revenue is used for the collection, transportation, and responsible recycling of end-of-life electronics, as well as program administration.

    A list of applicable EHFs for regulated electronic devices is available on the Recycle My Electronics website (found here).

  • To find out more visit https://www.recyclemyelectronics.ca/sk/ or call 306-242-6006

 
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