Electronic Waste

Electronic Waste image

[last updated: Jan 26/09] Electronic waste, often referred to as e-waste, covers a wide variety of materials such as obsolete computers, TVs, household appliances, telecom devices, batteries, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes etc.

70 percent of the toxic heavy metals in landfills come from e-waste. Each computer monitor/TV contains 2 - 4 kg of lead which is released into the environment when glass is crushed in landfills.

Other hazardous materials include cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, brominated fire retardants and PVC plastic.

In 2006, the province of British Columbia introduced legislation requiring recycling of e-waste. The legislation requires industry to establish its own recycling system, which it has done through Encorp. Currently, Encorp sends e-waste to the Trail smelter, where it is incinerated and some of the metals are recovered for resale.

Take Action ( items taken from SPEC's Greenpages )

Return electronic products to the store from which you bought them, or consult our greenpages for other recycling options (several of these refurbish computers for re-use rather than sending them for recycling).


  • Basel Action Network    [last updated: Jul 23/09]

    BAN is a global network of toxics and development activist organizations. They work to prevent all forms of "toxic trade" - in toxic wastes, toxic products and toxic technologies.
    The Basel Action Network 122 S. Jackson Street, Suite 320 Seattle, WA 98104 USA PHONE: 1-206-652-5555 FAX: 1-206-652-5750
    inform@ban.org
    website: www.ban.org
    greenpage category: Hazardous Waste

  • Genesis Recycling    [last updated: Jan 12/07]

    Genesis Recycling reduces old computers down to their basics components and markets these for new products using the plastics, metals and glass as raw materials. This process is time consuming but must be done to insure the least possible amount of material is being sent to landfills. This process allows Genesis to provide certificates of destruction, removing any environmental liability. The entire recycling process is handled in Canada and does not involve the export of any materials that have not been reduced to their basic materials.
    Head Office Sales (Wholesales - Retail) / Service Depot / Asset Management 26049 30A ave Aldergrove BC Canada V4W 2W6 TEL: 604-594-9989 or 800-240-0996 FAX: 604-594-1679
    website: www.genesisrecycling.ca
    greenpage category: Hazardous Waste

  • Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition    [last updated: Sep 29/03]

    Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC) is a grassroots coalition that engages in research, advocacy, and organizing around the environmental and human health problems caused by the rapid growth of the high-tech electronics industry.
    website: www.svtc.org/cleancc/index.html
    greenpage category: Recycling

  • Toxic Dude    [last updated: Aug 11/03]

    A computer take-back campaign aimed at University campuses.
    website: www.toxicdude.com
    greenpage category: Recycling

  • Recycling Council of British Columbia    [last updated: Aug 11/03]

    The Recycling Council of British Columbia is a multi-sectoral non-profit organization working towards waste avoidance. They support waste management solutions by conducting research, facilitating the exchange of ideas and providing information services.
    Recycling Hotline: In BC: 1-800-667-4321 In Vancouver: 604-732-9253
    website: www.rcbc.bc.ca
    greenpage category: Recycling

  • GrassRoots Recycling Network    [last updated: Aug 11/03]

    GRRN is a network of waste reduction activists and recycling professionals. They advocate zero waste and organize producer take-back campaigns.
    website: www.grrn.org
    greenpage category: Recycling

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