The Technology Coach: Ontario Electronic Stewardship’s (OES) electronic recycling program.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Ontario Electronic Stewardship’s (OES) electronic recycling program.

Below is an email I received recently regarding a subject matter my clients ask about regularly, recycling old computers, here's what they shared.

Hi Scott,

Given your interest in new and emerging technology, I thought you might also be interested in spreading awareness about what consumers can do with their old electronics and technology. I wanted to let you know about the latest phase of the Ontario Electronic Stewardship’s (OES) electronic recycling program. I thought the program would be of interest to you and the readers of your blog. We would really appreciate your support in spreading awareness of this important recycling program.

As of this week the recycling program accepts 44 different devices. By making it easier for Ontarians to dispose of unwanted electronic devices, the program collects and diverts waste electronics from landfills and recovers valuable resources, including precious and base metals. Interestingly, you may have heard that the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympics medals contained recycled metal from electronic waste.

To participate in the program Ontarians can bring their used electronics to a variety of OES-approved municipal, not-for-profit, retail depots and special events days listed at www.dowhatyoucan.ca.

Here are a few facts that you may be interested in:

· In the next year OES plans to collect over 46,000 tonnes of unwanted electronics and has a five year goal of collecting 85,000 tonnes.

· Nearly 78% of Ontario households have at least one electronic product that is not being used or that isn’t working.

· Items that can be recycled safely by Ontarians as of April 1^st includes:

Audio and video players, Cameras, Cell, phones, Computers, Copiers, Digital cameras, Monitors, Pagers and PDAs, Printers, Radios, Speakers, Telephones and answering machines, Televisions and Video projectors.

We’re really excited to be spreading awareness of this program and would happily provide you more details or answers questions if you have any.

My contact info is below.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Have a great day,

Bryan Feheley
Engagement Coordinator