85 per cent of Ontarians live within 25km of an
OES collection site
silver are responsibly and safely recovered from old electronics,
a process called urban mining, than significantly less resources
and energy are required for the mining of new raw metals.”
According to the WDO website, in 2013 there were 44
acceptable electronic products that could be dropped off at an
OES site for free, 526 OES-approved collection sites throughout
Ontario and 85 per cent of Ontarians lived within 25 kilometres
of an OES collection site or event.
Locally, the Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority has
partnered up with OES to keep e-waste out of our landfill and
encourage residents to take advantage of responsible recycling
opportunities. Manager of waste diversion Cameron Wright said
many residents are still throwing recyclable items in the trash
which has resulted in our area having one of the lowest recycling
scores in the whole province.
“We know that 25 per cent of the people still don’t
participate in the recycling program,” said Wright. “People have
to realize that recyclables are a commodity like any other
commodity so we need them to be separated and plentiful.”
Through the EWSWA website, the community can read up
on the authority’s many educational events offered year-round
and groups can arrange for someone from EWSWA to speak to
them about recycling. One of their top presenters, Heather
Taylor, said she believes more residents recycle after they are
educated on the subject.
Other experts say recycling is not enough to the end the
e-waste problem. Every day more people around the world are
realizing their unwanted or damaged devices could be given a
second life if someone put the time and energy into giving them
the minor repairs and upgrades needed to keep up with today’s
gadgets. As an added bonus, consumers can keep using their
3918 Walker Road
Windsor
Richard Divnich
Sales Representative
favourite devices for lengthier periods and reduce the number
of new electronics being manufactured each year.
Computers 4 Kids is a local non-profit organization that
makes all its money through refurbishing and reselling of old
electronics. At this time they can accept donations of working
electronic devices, fix your damaged devices for a minimal fee
and sell refurbished items to Windsorites at a fraction of their
original cost two times a month at their Windsor location in
Olde Sandwich Towne.
“The recycling aspect is something we do to keep the charity
going,” said Seamus Callaghan, the charity’s founder and
current operations manager. “It helps to pay for things like our
rent, utilities and transportation.”
As a charity, they also give between 600 and 650 computers
each year to local children who cannot afford them. Callaghan
said he hopes to see this number increase in upcoming years as
more people become aware of their services.
“It’s about as fulfilling as anything can be,” said Callaghan.
“There’s nothing better than actually giving a nice little
eight-year-old a complimentary computer and they’re smiling
from ear to ear. saying, ‘thank you thank you.’ It doesn’t get any
more gratifying than that.”
Charities like Computers 4 Kids can do a lot of good for their
communities, but what about residents who cannot get their
devices to them because they lack the transportation or
manpower necessary to do so? Fortunately there are many
individuals out there who are willing to pick up their e-waste
for free. Kijiji is a great resource for finding them.
Chris Keelan is one of the dozens of local electronic seekers
on Kijiji currently. He said he got into the business of
refurbishing old devices nearly five years ago and now it’s his
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