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Harmonized Approaches for Industry-led Electronics Stewardship in Canada

Harmonized Approaches for Industry-led Electronics Stewardship in Canada SWANA Northern Lights Chapter Winnipeg – May 13, 2009. Environment Becomes Key Issue for Canadian IT & Consumer Electronics Firms. E-waste front and centre on regulators “radar”:

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Harmonized Approaches for Industry-led Electronics Stewardship in Canada

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  1. Harmonized Approaches for Industry-led Electronics Stewardship in Canada SWANA Northern Lights Chapter Winnipeg – May 13, 2009

  2. Environment Becomes Key Issue for Canadian IT & Consumer Electronics Firms E-waste front and centre on regulators “radar”: EOL consumer electronics & IT equipment going to Canadian landfills Potential for toxicity increases if products are not processed responsibly Material recovery opportunity for use in next generation products Infrastructure to divert and recycle these products at nascent stage in Canada Must prevent North America’s e-waste being exported without proper controls Provincial regulators looking to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as solution Photos from “Exporting Harm: The High-Tech Trashing of Asia”. Prepared by Basel Action Network and Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, February 25, 2002.

  3. Status of Selected Provincial Environment Regulations (as of April 2009)                            • Regulations currently in place Regulations expected in 2009 Regulations not expected until 2010 or later 

  4. Electronics Industry Approach • Work “early and often” with regulators & key stakeholders to: • Lobby for “smart regulations” for EOLE • Harmonize key program elements across jurisdictions (products, financing, recycling standard’s, audits, etc) • Develop efficient, effective and locally-managed electronics recycling programs • Advocate on behalf of industry on related issues such as design for the environment (DfE) provisions.

  5. Guiding Principles for Electronics Stewardship Programs Level playing field: All obligated producers participate in an approved stewardship program to maintain a level competitive playing field. No cross-subsidization: Each product category are assigned only the costs of managing those products within that category Environmental improvement: Use the programs influence on the market to drive environmental improvements such as responsible recycling, and enhanced resource recovery Operational efficiencies: Drive operational efficiencies by leveraging competitive markets for services to ensure financial resources are used effectively and efficiently. Harmonization: To the greatest extent possible, harmonize with other electronics stewardship program to achieve economies of scale

  6. Industry-Led Stewardship Rolling Out Across Canada…

  7. * Includes duplicate members

  8. Who Else is Active…(I) Alberta Canada’s first electronics regulated recycling program, ARMA, quasi-governmental body Manitoba Draft regulations for Electronics & Batteries tabled in November 2007, local round-ups proving successful Ontario OES program launched April 1st, includes some unique approaches including reuse, direct ship, etc.

  9. Who Else is Active…(II) Quebec Consultations continue, draft regulations expected in 2009, cost internalization may be explored New Brunswick, Newfoundland & PEI Much interest in the ACES model in Nova Scotia Federal Environment Canada’s Chemicals Management Program (mercury, PBDEs, etc) Natural Resources Canada’s Stand-by Power regulation

  10. Nova Scotia - ACES Nova Scotia passed EOLE regulations Feb 2007 EPSC & RCC form Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship (ACES), as not-for-profit, industry-led compliance program Resource Recovery Fund Board (RRFB) selected through competitive RFP as local program manager Program launched February 1, 2008 for “Phase I” (computers, printers and TVs). Landmark regulating of Phase II products (Telecomm, AV equipment, Scanners) for full implementation by February 2009

  11. ACES Board of Directors: David Bois, Home Hardware (Chair) Eddie Colacchio, Sharp (Treasurer) Sean DeVries, Panasonic Canada Nick Aubry, Sony of Canada Ltd. Christa Copeland, Best Buy Canada Interim Executive Director: Jay Illingworth, EPSC Observers: Nathan MacDonald, EPSC & Rachel Kagan, RCC Project Manager: Jeff McCallum, RRFB ACES Governance

  12. As of March 1, 2009: 37 collection sites across the province, primarily existing bottle depots Collecting 200 tonnes of electronics per month, almost 2,400 metric tonnes of regulated products responsibly recycled Two processors passed recycling audits and processing for program: SIMS in Brampton, Ontario and FCM in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia. A third processor completing audit requirements ACES Program Impacts

  13. ACES Program Impacts (con’t) 485 industry “stewards” registered and fulfilling their compliance to the Ministry’s regulation via ACES More than 3,700 calls to the ACES toll-free information line from consumers and stewards, and over 60,000 hits to website. Local Advisory committee provides important “grassroots guidance” to the board and program manager Strong communications program, including POS materials, comprehensive web site, regular print advertising and soon the advent of radio/television ads

  14. Ensuring the Responsible Recycling of Electronics… Industry recognized the importance of proper management of electronics at the recycling stage A common standard was required to ensure an equal level of service from all recyclers used EPSC created the Recycling Vendor Qualification Program (RVQP) and strict pre-processing audit requirements Enhances provisions of ISO 14001 and addresses specific issues resulting from recycling electronics Enhanced requirements for Environment, Health & safety Prohibits use of prison labour Prohibits shipping material to non-OECD nations Reinforces downstream accountability of waste

  15. Revisiting the EHFs: The Intergroup Reports • With the advent of Phase II products in Nova Scotia, programs identified need to rework the model for calculating Environmental Handling Fees (EHFs) for all products: • Engaged Winnipeg-based Intergroup Consultants • Collected the most relevant and recent data, revisited key assumptions and principles and recognized technology and consumer trends • Broad industry consultations to understand impacts • Results meant much more accurate fees at the provincial level, simpler approach to product categories and a commitment to revisit these fees at regular intervals

  16. Key Industry Issues Moving Forward • Work with local stakeholders on responsible reuse and refurbishment approaches • Phasing in of new product categories, including outreach to newly obligated industry sectors and understanding associated recycling and logistics issues • Reviewing potential and benefits for regional program approaches • Continuous improvement on recycling standards & audits

  17. Jay Illingworth Interim Executive Director, ACES & Harmonization Coordinator for ACES, ESABC & SWEEP office: 613-567-1450 cell: 613-277-2388 e-mail: jay@estewardship.ca Web: www.eStewardship.ca

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