East Hants offers unique e-waste recycling collection

East Hants offers a unique service in e-waste collection.

The provincial Environment and Labour Department has implemented a new ban on electronic waste from landfills. As a result, all televisions, computers, monitors, printers, mice, keyboards and cables can no longer be disposed of in garbage. As of Feb 1, all Nova Scotians must recycle this equipment.

The Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship (ACES) Program is an industry-led electronics recycling program approved by the province and available to all residents and businesses. RRFB Nova Scotia has been contracted to administer the program.

The other 54 municipalities in Nova Scotia require this

equipment to be brought to a drop-off centre, but not so in East Hants.

“These items contain environmental contaminants such as lead, mercury and cadmium, as well as valuable metals and recyclable plastics,” Warden John Patterson said. “As such, we considered the likelihood of an increase in illegal dumping if we had not offered a program that was convenient for the public.

“We were very concerned about folks outside the corridor area.” Patterson added. “It seemed unreasonable to expect people from Walton, Maitland, Mount Uniacke, and all points in between to drive up to 45 minutes to dispose of unwanted electronic equipment. Even residents in the corridor who do not have a vehicle would have difficulty complying with this program. So the municipality got creative and came up with what we believe is a very workable alternative.”

Curbside collection of banned electronic equipment will be offered in East Hants through a public/private partnership among the municipality, GTI Refuse Ltd. and Elmsdale ENVIRO-DEPOTTM. The only change to regular procedures is this material will now be picked up on recycling collection day rather than garbage collection day. Any residence or business currently on the municipal collection system can place at the curb a maximum of one television or computer unit and one box -- approximately one by one by two feet -- of equipment per collection period.

The Elmsdale ENVIRO-DEPOTTM is operating as all other drop off centres within the province, accepting banned electronic equipment at no charge within their regular business hours.

Depot co-owner Dennis Cochrane said that curbside collection of electronics will augment the service they provide to the community. “We are really pleased to be partnering with the municipality and GTI Refuse on this. The collection program we have all agreed to will make it very easy for the public to participate in recycling electronics.”

GTI Refuse Ltd. has a five-year contract as the municipal waste collector. GTI Manager Tim Wilson said, “we will simply collect this material in the smaller metal collection truck on recycling day instead of in the garbage collection truck. There is no additional cost to the municipality and valuable material from this equipment is recycled rather than sitting in a landfill. Everyone wins.”

If electronic equipment is still usable, the public is encouraged to consider giving it to a friend, family member, or non-profit organization. It can also be listed on the NS Materials Exchange for sale or giveaway at www.nsmaterials.com. The public is also asked to contact their computer retailer or manufacturer to discuss measures to protected personal information stored on their computer before disposal.

For further information please contact the Municipality of East Hants Solid Waste Hotline at 1-888-873-3332 or the Elmsdale ENVIRO-DEPOTTM at 883-8000.