New E-Waste Regulations Take Effect Feb. 1

Nova Scotia will continue to lead the world in solid waste management when the province's electronic waste regulations take effect Friday, Feb. 1.

"In 2007, Nova Scotia was the first province in Atlantic Canada to introduce regulations that would ban certain electronic products from entering landfills," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour. "The electronic waste regulations will help us reach the goal of reducing our solid waste disposal rate to 300 kilograms per person per year by 2015."

In year one of the program, televisions, desktop and laptop computer equipment, including printers, will be accepted. Other electronic products will be added to the e-waste program in 2009.

Industry, through the Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship, will charge an environmental handling fee for the administration, collection, transportation and responsible recycling of unwanted electronics.

"Government will not be collecting any money from the environmental handling fee charged by industry," said Mr. Parent. "Fees collected will be used to ensure proper re-use or recycling of the products which results in a cleaner and greener Nova Scotia."

For more information on environmental handling fees, or drop-off locations, visit the Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship website at www.acestewardship.ca or call 1-877-774-3260.