Saskatchewan Waste Electronic Equipment Program

Saskatchewan: 1,000,000 people 6.5% of Canada – 651,000 sq km 15% of population over age 65 Median age 36.7

SWEEP – Responsible Recycling for: Computers Laptops Printers Peripherals TVs

Consumers bring end-of-life electronics to any SARCAN depot (no charge) Consumers pay an Environmental Handling Fee (EHF) when buying new stuff: Desktop Computers - $10; Portable Computers - $5; Monitors - $12; Desktop Printers - $8; Televisions - $15; $25; $30; $45 (set by screen size) SWEEP: the Public View

In the beginning... Industry begins discussion in March 2003 EPSC Stewardship plan approved May 2006 SWEEP Incorporated July 2006 SWEEP launched February 2007

Structure of SWEEP

The SARCAN Collection System

COLLECTION SYSTEM Collect electronics province- wide, year round at 68 depots. Also collection days at 3 more depots. Carts help customers move larger units.

COLLECTION SYSTEM Depots count units and separate them into two streams: –Monitors and TVs are shrink wrapped onto pallets. –All other units are placed into fold-down plastic tubskids.

COLLECTION SYSTEM Pallets and tubskids are shipped to our two Processing Plants in Saskatoon and Regina. Weighed, recorded and put onto one of two trailers: –Pallets  eCycle –Tubskids  Registered dismantling sites

Dismantling Operations Estevan Diversified Services

Dismantling Operations Dismantling operations at three SARC Member Agencies: –KIN Enterprises Inc., Prince Albert –Saskatchewan Abilities Council, Yorkton –Estevan Diversified Services Each use one supervisor and a staff of 6 dismantling technicians Paid a fixed rate for dismantling based on the weight of salvage returned

Processing of Monitors & TVs eCycle Solutions – Airdrie, Alberta

Program Manager

About Product Care a multi-provincial industry organization for paint/HHW: BC, AB, SK & NS Product Care serves SWEEP as Program Manager, achieves administrative synergies with other “member” programs

Product Care - Role Member relations – 593 ‘first sellers’ Collect EHF Manage auditing: members, processors, end users Administration – accounting, track collection and processing

Communications

media relations baseline survey transit advertising campaign in two cities stakeholder communication programs

Transit advertising:

3.9 M pounds diverted from landfills 179,487 units collected 79% of population know to take EOLE to one of the 71 SARCAN Depots 45% of population has electronics in storage for disposal 14 months and counting …

Challenges

Program Administration Harmonization issues with programs in other jurisdictions –Member audits –Recycler audits –Product Definitions Moving to Phase 2 of equipment collected

Collection and Processing Bare / broken CRTs CPUs with mice droppings (hanta virus) Expanded product approval list Non-cooperative bulk customers After-hour product abandonment Salvage markets not completing the rigorous EPSC Vendor Qualification process

Joan Meyer, Executive Director SWEEP Telephone – – Website - Mark Kurschner, President Product Care Association x 201