Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES) reminded residents of Ontario, Canada that there is a proper way to dispose of obsolete electronic devices.
For more information visit: www.ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca ; www.recycleyourelectronics.ca
Unedited press release follows:
Watching Sunday’s Big Game on a New TV? Make Sure to Recycle Your Old One
Eighty-five per cent of residents live within 10 kilometres of an e-waste collection site
TORONTO, Feb. 4 – With the Super Bowl just days away, fans across Ontario will be gearing up for game day by purchasing a brand new TV or home entertainment system. While upgrading existing equipment can make for that ultimate big-screen experience, football fans are reminded that there is a safe and environmentally friendly way to divert their unwanted or obsolete items.
“There is no doubt that major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl, encourage people to purchase new electronics like speakers and flat-screen TVs,” says Carol Hochu, Executive Director of Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES). “But after the game is over, it’s important to remember that replaced or outdated items should never be disposed of in the garbage. Electronics can be dropped off for recycling, reuse or refurbishment at hundreds of locations across Ontario.”
Consumers who find themselves with unwanted electronics should do the following:
* Make sure the items are accepted. More than 40 different types of e-waste are accepted through the Ontario Electronic Stewardship program, including TVs, speakers, computers, cell phones, most office equipment and more. A full list is available at www.recycleyourelectronics.ca.
* Find a convenient drop-off location. The OES program includes more than 600 collection locations and many other affiliate sites, and eighty-five per cent of Ontarians live within 10 kilometres of at least one of them. To locate one near you, visit www.recycleyourelectronics.ca.
* Enjoy peace of mind. Dropping off a computer or cellphone as well? Residents are reminded to clear their drives and wipe their SIM cards of all information before dropping them off. However, collectors and processors that are part of the OES program adhere to strict guidelines, so from the time it is accepted, electronic waste is managed safely and securely.
Once collected, items are destined for re-use or end-of-life recycling. In the latter case, valuable commodities such as steel, aluminum, copper, glass and plastic are shredded, smelted or processed as raw materials. Recycled plastics are used to manufacture water pipes, recycled glass is fabricated into new monitors or TVs, and metals can be minted into coins.
About Ontario Electronic Stewardship
Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES), a not-for-profit industry organization, oversees the responsible reuse and recycling of waste electronics through a program that includes 600 collection sites and numerous other affiliate sites across the province. Each Ontario resident and business is encouraged to safely recycle their electronics.
The program was developed with Waste Diversion Ontario on behalf of the Ontario government under the Waste Diversion Act, 2002. The OES electronic waste recycling program accepts 44 items of electronic waste including computers, televisions, DVD players, hand-held devices and more.