If you are shocked by these numbers, you are not alone. These facts have inspired thousands of
individuals and organizations around the world to establish programs and services that assist in the
recycling of old electronic items. It is a booming industry, with billions of dollars to be made by those
who know how to collect, refurbish and resell old devices or at least know who to sell the devices to
if they cannot be repaired. But many Canadians are in the dark about this topic; they choose to let
their devices take up valuable storage space or end up in the garbage because they don’t know which
program to support.
Fortunately for Windsor and Essex County, there are many ways to get rid of unwanted items
without having to visit the Public Drop Off. There are many services in place to break down unfixable
items, repair the ones that are worth repairing and even donate outdated devices to those who need
them. As a bonus, many of these programs are prepared to pick up old electronic devices for free if
they are within city limits. So how can you tell which services are legitimate? How can you find out
what percentage of e-waste actually gets recycled?
It’s important to know where e-waste goes after you drop it off at a city or county recycling centre.
In Ontario, most of the electronic waste is collected and processed through the Ontario Electronic
Stewardship program. It was officially launched April 1, 2009 following a series of requests for an
e-waste diversion program made by the province’s Minister of Environment between 2004 and 2007.
It is currently monitored by Waste Diversion Ontario and is funded by fees paid to OES through the
retail of recycled materials.
According to John Stine of WDO, the profits gained through the non-profit organization program
are then used to pay for administrative costs, the collection of e-waste, the transportation and
processing of e-waste and educational programs that anyone in Ontario can benefit from. A 2013
report available through recycleyoure