Frequently Asked Questions
Who or what is recycleyourelectronics.ca?
Recycleyourelectronics.ca is the program in Ontario responsible for diverting electronic waste in Ontario operated by Ontario Electronic Stewardship (“OES”). It is also a searchable website that enables postal code, community or item lookup for where and how to reuse or recycle unwanted or out-of-date electronics in a safe and convenient manner.
Why manage end-of-life electronics?
Like tin cans and newspaper, unwanted electronics should never end up in the garbage. Much of the plastic and metal in computers and TVs, for example, can be reclaimed and used to make everything from irrigation piping to coins. As well, many older electronics contain substances of concern that, if not handled properly, could have environmental impacts and cause health and safety issues.
How much does the service cost?
There is no charge to you for dropping off items at an OES-approved collection site or event. The environmental handling fee (“EHF”) you likely paid on purchasing new electronics covers the cost of refurbishing or recycling them.
Where are the OES-approved collection locations that offer free drop off?
There are hundreds of approved permanent and event-based collection sites across the province to choose from; municipal, not-for-profit, retail and other depots. In fact, 85% of Ontarians live within 10 kilometers of a drop-off facility. To find the drop-off site nearest you, use the lookup tools on this web page. The site can be searched by postal code, community, or type of item.
What if I can't find a drop-off location close to me, or I don’t have a car to get them there?
Check this website often. Special electronics collection events are posted regularly. The site is also updated as soon as new sites are approved. Some commercial providers may offer pick up depending on the volume of electronics you have, or they may charge a nominal pickup fee. If you can’t find a site or event near you for free drop off, email our customer service department at:
customerservice@ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca
My garbage and blue box items are picked up weekly – why not electronics?
Due to the nature of the materials, electronics need special handling and safe transport. Ultimately, curbside pick-up services are the responsibility of municipalities. There are, however, some municipalities that offer curbside pick-up of electronic items. Contact your municipality for more information on their e-waste services.
Does your service accept all electronic or electrical items?
No. We currently accept 44 items; but most of them are your common home / home office items. The full list of “what’s accepted” items can be found
here.
Why not accept all electronics?
Managing end-of-life electronics, with both substances of concern and valuable component parts, is a complex process. Unlike tin cans, newspaper and other recyclables, electronic waste management requires that we comply with strict human health and safety, and environmental guidelines and regulations. We must also ensure that our network of approved collection sites can adjust to the growing volumes, and types of electronics, before additional items can be accepted.
What do I do with items that are not included in this program?
Some municipalities may collect electronic products that are not designated in this program. Please contact your municipality to confirm accepted materials and recycling procedures. There are also some commercial and reuse and refurbishment organizations that accept items outside of our current scope.
What happens to the items once I drop them off?
Once collected, items are shipped to a facility where they are inspected and weighed. Then they are sent to an approved processor for manual dismantling and/or mechanical processing. Hazardous materials are sent for further processing, while materials available for down cycling are turned into commodities such as steel, aluminum, copper, glass and plastic for use in new products. Recycled plastics, for example, are used to produce irrigation piping and outdoor furniture, and recycled glass is made into new monitors or TVs. Your assurance? From the time that your unwanted electronics are dropped off, they are managed according to the highest standards at every stage of the process. For that reason, only approved collection sites or events are listed on this site.
What about the security of my private information that may be left on my computer or cell phone?
If you drop off items for recycling through our program, they will not be reused. We do recommend that you remove and wipe clean all data from computers and laptops, SIM cards and other storage devices in cell phones, digital cameras or digital printers prior to drop off. If you are unsure how to do this, check your owner's manual or contact your manufacturer on how to. While the approved network of service providers is obligated to ensure secure destruction of materials in the processing stage, we cannot accept liability for any data that remains on electronic equipment when you drop off. It is your obligation to protect your own personal information.
I paid a fee when I bought a new piece of electronics, is this a tax?
No. You paid an environmental handling
fee (EHF) that goes toward safe and responsible recovery and disposal of end-of-life electronics, much like you paid when replacing old tires or oil for your car. Monies collected do not go to government.
Am I charged a fee when I buy used and refurbished electronics?
No. EHF is only charged on new electronics.
Can a retailer charge more than the fee for that item?
No.
Fees charged at the time of purchase should not exceed the EHF for that item.
Where can I find the list of fees?
An updated list of fees can be found
here.
How often do fees change?
We continually monitor the cost to operate the program and assess fees annually. On August 1st, 2011, we reduced most
fees. We made the reductions after consulting with industry partners and revising our projections on the amount of fee revenue needed to operate the program going forward.
If the item purchased is returned, will the EHF charged be reimbursed?
While the handling of
fees at the point of sale is determined by retailers, a retailer should refund any fee that was applied at the point of purchase if that product is returned.
What if I exchange an item – say a laptop for a cell phone – what fee is applied?
The retailer should refund any fee that was applied at the point of purchase for a particular item, and charge the appropriate EHF for the item being purchased.
I paid a fee on a new electronic item I purchased, and I think I may have been overcharged. What should I do?
If you think you have been overcharged, go back to the retailer where you made the purchase and request a refund. If there is no resolution, staff at the Ministry of Consumer Services’ consumer-protection hotline (416-326-8800 or toll-free at 1-800-889-9768, TTY: 416-229-6086 or 1-877-666-6545) are also available to help consumers who think they may have been charged an inappropriate
fee.
How is this program being funded?
The program is funded by fees paid to OES by the producers that make them. It’s called a “producer responsibility” model. Funds collected are used exclusively to pay for collection, transportation, warehousing and processing of electronic waste, as well as research and education programs to encourage greater electronic equipment reuse and recycling, and prevent these items from getting to landfill.
Who runs this program?
Private industry. OES was formed by leading retail, information technology and consumer electronics companies to implement the program with oversight by Waste Diversion Ontario. OES is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors from across the supply chain. The Board is composed of voting directors and observers (non-voting). OES is a not-for-profit, industry funded organization.
Is this program effective?
In just a little over two years, awareness of the electronic waste program in Ontario has increased from 22% to 65%. And thanks to you, since beginning operations on April 1, 2009, the program has diverted more than 100,000 metric tonnes of electronic waste from landfill. If stacked in tractor trailer loads parked end-to-end, it would stretch from downtown Toronto to north of Kingston. In addition, the program encourages economic and job growth in the waste and recycling industries. Residents of Ontario welcome a safe and responsible solution for dealing with their out-of-use electronics.