NEW PROVINCE-WIDE ELECTRONICS RECYCLING PROGRAM

Released on December 4, 2006

The Government of Saskatchewan is fulfilling another commitment to a green and prosperous economy by announcing a new province-wide recycling program for end-of-life electronics. Saskatchewan will be the first province in the country with an industry-led e-waste recycling program.

Saskatchewan residents will be able to drop off unwanted computers, monitors, printers, and televisions at any of the 71 SARCAN facilities across the province. The Saskatchewan Waste Electronic Equipment Program (SWEEP), a Saskatchewan-based, non-profit organization representing electronic equipment manufacturers and retailers, has contracted SARCAN to deliver the province-wide collection and recycling program.

"Recycling is an environmentally effective way to dispose or re-use e-waste and to to keep toxic substances from the environment," Environment Minister John Nilson said. "This program makes life better for Saskatchewan families by protecting the environment and providing economic and employment opportunities in the recycling industry."

"SARCAN is pleased to be able to accept these products and provide an additional recycling opportunity to our customers," SARCAN operations director Ken Homenick said. "Electronic waste recycling creates another valuable employment opportunity for our staff."

"SWEEP was developed by industry to manage consumer and commercial recycling program for end-of-life electronics," Saskatchewan Waste Electronic Equipment Program board of directors chair Sean DeVries said. "Saskatchewan residents and businesses will appreciate the convenience of being able to 'do the right thing' by dropping off unwanted electronics at any SARCAN depot, year round."

Beginning February 1, 2007, all purchases of computers (both desktop and notebook), computer monitors, desktop printers and televisions will pay an "eco-fee" that will be collected by SWEEP to finance the program. Eco-fees range from $5.00 to $12.00 for computers and related components and from $15.00 to $45.00 for televisions, based on screen size. All funds collected through the program will go directly to SWEEP for the collection, transportation and responsible recycling of electronics in Saskatchewan.

As part of the Government of Saskatchewan's commitment to enable expanded electronic waste recycling, consultations were held with a number of groups to assist with program development. The SWEEP Board includes representatives from the electronics industry, retailers, municipal government, the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council and Saskatchewan Environment. The Waste Electronic Equipment Regulations were passed in October of 2005.

The new electronic waste stewardship program is similar to the product stewardship models used in the Saskatchewan Paint Stewardship, Used Oil Material Recycling and Scrap Tire Management programs.

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For More Information, Contact:

Traci Braaten Environment Regina Phone: 306-787-1611 Email: tbraaten@serm.gov.sk.ca Cell: 306-536-3852