FAQ
for Albertans

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What is the electronics recycling pilot project?

The electronics recycling pilot is a two-year project that will expand the scope of electronic products Albertans can recycle without adding new consumer fees. It’s operated by the Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) and will inform how government can advance electronics recycling in the future.

Why is government implementing an electronics recycling pilot project?

We are looking at the possibility of implementing a sustainable and expanded electronics recycling program that will support jobs and our economy as we grapple with the COVID-19 recession. Municipalities will benefit as they’ll get compensated for additional electronic items.

 

The pilot will enhance protection of the environment and position Alberta as a significant contributor to the emerging circular economy where we recycle and recover as much product material as possible and return it to the manufacturing process.

 

The Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) has identified an electronic recycling pilot program as having great potential to support job creation.

How will the pilot project inform a government decision on implementation?

ARMA will collect data and compile research and analysis of recycling processes, the associated costs, and anticipated demand/use levels for a variety of electronic waste goods. The project and data will help inform government the best course forward to advance the electronics recycling program in Alberta.

What additional products will be included in the electronics recycling pilot project?

Additional electronic products included in the pilot project include:

 

  • Small Appliances: Clock, Fan, Hair dryer, Heater, Iron, Microwave, Residential Air Conditioner, Toaster, Shaver, Vacuum
  • Audio Visual: CD Player, Clock Radio, Digital Camera, DVD Player, Headphones, Satellite Dish, Satellite Radio, Speakers, Video Camera
  • Telecom: Answering Machine, Cell Phone, Landline Phone, Modem and Router, Pager, Satellite Phone, Speakerphone
  • Power and Air Tools: Drill, Grinder, Miter Saw, Nail Gun, Residential Air Compressor, Sharpener, Shop Vacuum, Skillsaw, Table Saw
  • Games, Toys and Music: Action Figure, Amplifier, Guitar, Keyboard, Microphone, Ride-on Toy, Toy Robot, Toy Vehicle, Video Gaming, Equipment

 

The average expected volume of additional electronic waste processed is approximately 12,300 tonnes per year as ‘net new’ to the pilot project. That’s the equivalent of 1,118 adult African bush elephants. Given the pilot is estimated to run up to two years, this equates to 24,600 tonnes recycled in the pilot program.

When and where can Albertans start dropping off additional electronics for recycling?

Before this occurs, ARMA will procure external expertise to support program implementation and execution, and stakeholder engagement and communications. Following the planning phase, Albertans should expect to begin recycling additional electronics material as of September 1, 2020 (call your local electronics collection site first to confirm their participation in the pilot).

What is the cost to implement the pilot project and who is paying that cost?

The estimated cost is $43 million which is funding that ARMA already has in place from its current electronics recycling program.

How could an electronics pilot project support job creation?

An economic impact assessment (EIA) commissioned by ARMA determined that there is the potential to almost double the recycling jobs in the provincial electronics program by adding an additional 360 jobs to the 400 existing full-time equivalent jobs (FTE), bringing the total to 760 FTE. These jobs include collection, transportation, processing and manufacturing.

What is the potential economic benefit?

In addition to the $50 million generated through the current electronics program, the EIA calculated that a sustainable expanded electronics recycling program has the potential to inject an additional $30 million annually into Alberta’s economy, totaling $80 million in annual economic benefit.

How Would an Electronics Recycling Pilor Project Benefit Municipalities, Indigenous Communities and the Environment?

Currently, municipalities and Indigenous communities do not receive compensation to manage non-program electronics. Under the pilot, they will be financially compensated for the cost of collection on all electronics included in the expansion. The pilot program could divert up to an additional 12,300 tonnes from landfills annually, which would equate to a landfill cost saving of up to $1.3 million across 82 landfills that accept electronics.

What are the environmental benefits?

The environmental benefits include preventing hazardous materials from leaching into the ground and water; reducing the amount of waste destined for landfills; preserving natural resources by reducing the need to use up precious, non-renewable materials to make new products; and, conserving energy by using recycled material to make new products instead of raw material.

What is a circular economy?

A circular economy is where products have a longer life cycle, and upon the end of a products life cycle, we recycle and recover as much material as possible and return it to the manufacturing process.

What does it cost to operate the current electronics recycling program?

As published in the 2018/19 ARMA Annual Report, the average cost over the last two years to operate the electronics recycling program is approximately $11.8 million per year.

Will there be consumer fees (surcharges) applied to the new products once they are part of the pilot project and how much will they be?

There is no cost to Albertans for the additional materials that will be collected during the pilot project. The data gathered from this pilot program will be used to better understand the cost of recycling electronics in the future.

Will there be costs to municipalities or recycling processors?

No. Municipalities and recycling processors will be paid for the collection and processing of products collected for recycling.

Does it cost more to recycle these new electronics? Who is going to pay for that?

Consumers will not have to pay for electronics recycled as part of the pilot project. The Alberta Recycling Management Authority will pay for all electronics collected as part of the pilot.

What other initiatives is government taking action on to address waste and recycling?

In addition to the electronics pilot program, government is exploring additional policy tools for new recycling programs. This includes packaging and printed paper, and extended producer responsibility. The province is also funding an agricultural plastic pilot program that may be used to inform future policies and direction to support farmers and ranchers. The Government of Alberta will continue to consider stakeholder input and study best practices of other jurisdictions to improve key areas of Alberta’s recycling efforts.

What is the Alberta Recycling Management Authority?

Alberta Recycling Management Authority is a registered not-for-profit organization responsible for managing the province’s tire, electronics, paint and used oil recycling programs. This organization reports to the Minister of Environment and Parks and is run by a board of directors representing urban and rural municipalities, Indigenous relations, industry, environmental organizations, Alberta Environment and Parks and the public-at-large.

How many electronics recycling collection sites are there in Alberta?

There are currently 365 municipal and Indigenous electronics collections sites throughout the province registered with ARMA but managed by municipalities and Indigenous communities where residents and businesses can drop off their electronics for recycling. Also, there are six registered recyclers that pick up the electronics from the 365 sites, as well as from businesses, and take the electronics back to their facilities where the products are disassembled in a safe, secure and environmentally sound manner. 96% of Albertans live no further than a 20-minute drive to an electronics collection site.

How can ARMA undertake this project when other recycling programs are facing challenges due to the pandemic?

Collection and processing of electronics isn’t expected to start for at least four months at which time the pandemic situation will likely have changed, hopefully for the better. Regardless, electronics products are collected and processed differently than other waste products because they are placed in electronics bins by consumers and directly transported to processors. Electronics do not enter the general recycling stream like blue bag household recyclables for which the content needs to be sorted.

 

Many collections sites have implemented appropriate COVID mitigation measures and continue to manage electronics recyclables. In fact, the pilot project could help offset the reduction of other waste products currently destined for landfills as a result of the pandemic’s impact on reduced processing capacity at some municipal sorting facilities.

FAQ
for Collection Sites

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When does the pilot start?

The pilot launches on September 1, 2020.

What is the list of products included in the Pilot Project?

The following electronics product categories will be included in the Pilot:

 

Small Appliances
Clock, Fan, Hair dryer, Heater, Iron, Microwave, Residential Air Conditioner, Toaster, Shaver, Vacuum

 

Audio Visual
CD Player, Clock Radio, Digital Camera, DVD Player, Headphones, Satellite Dish, Satellite Radio, Speakers, Video Camera

 

Telecom
Answering Machine, Cell Phone, Landline Phone, Modem and Router, Pager, Satellite Phone, Speakerphone

 

Power and Air Tools
Drill, Grinder, Miter Saw, Nail Gun, Residential Air Compressor, Sharpener, Shop Vacuum, Skillsaw, Table Saw

 

Games, Toys and Music
Action Figure, Amplifier, Guitar, Keyboard, Microphone, Ride-on Toy, Toy Robot, Toy Vehicle, Video Gaming, Equipment

Can we start collecting these additional items now?

 Yes, ARMA encourages registered municipal and Indigenous collection sites who have the capacity to stockpile these additional items, to do so.

What if we join the Pilot and then change our mind about participating?

This is a voluntary program therefore you are free to drop out at any time. We will be inviting your feedback regarding your decision so that we can continuously work towards improving the program.

Can a municipality or Indigenous community join the pilot project at any time during the pilot?

As long you are currently registered with ARMA to collect electronics, you can sign up to participate in the pilot at any time.

Should I be calling my processor now to get extra containers for the expansion material?

If you plan to collect expansion material prior to the start of the pilot, feel free to consult with your processor to address this additional material. If you do not plan to start collecting until the Pilot begins, your processor will be in touch with you as the project unfolds to plan for your needs.

What if we don’t have enough room to store the expanded material in advance of the startup?

You are not required to start accepting expansion material prior to the start of the pilot.

Do we need to separate the expansion material from the program material?

Yes, you are required to keep expansion material separate from program material and you are also required to continue counting program material.

Will we have to count everything that comes in for the pilot?

You will not be required to count the expansion material that comes in however you will still be required to count the program material that comes in.

 

Prior to the start of the Pilot, we will be providing detailed information to all collection sites (and processors) regarding the process for collection of pilot material including the reporting requirements.

What kind of paperwork will be required during the Pilot Project?

Prior to the start of the Pilot, we will be providing detailed information to all collection sites including the Collection Site Funding Request forms that will function in a similar fashion to the forms you currently use for program material.

How much will we be paid for participating in the Pilot?

Municipal and Indigenous Collection Sites will be fully compensated for the Pilot Project materials received. We will be sharing the specifics with you once we complete our planning phase.

Can expanded electronics be included in the Roundup Grant Program?

Yes, as of September 1, 2020, municipalities and Indigenous communities can accept expanded electronics products as part of the Roundup Grant Program. The updated grant application will be found here. Updated promotional material reflecting expanded electronics will also be made available to approved applicants.

Can we still have a ‘take it or leave it’ option at our site?

Your take-it-or-leave-it area is separate from ARMA’s programs therefore you can continue to run it.

Who do we call if we aren’t getting service from our processor?

You are free to call any of our registered processors if you are not happy with the service of the one you are using. The list can be found by CLICKING HERE.

 

We would ask however, that you let us know why you have chosen to go with a different processor so that we can address your issues with the one you are currently using. Please email your feedback to us at info@albertarecycling.ca.

What do I need to do now?

ARMA’s Operations Team have been reaching out to all registered collectors to offer a virtual and/or in-person information session on the pilot project. To date we have completed presentations to 70% of registered sites. If for some reason we have not been able to reach you, please email us at epilot@albertarecycling.ca. For your reference, following is the development schedule for the pilot:

ActivityStart DateTentative End Date
PlanningMay 2020August 2020
Stakeholder Engagement and CommunicationsMay 2020September 2022
Pilot StartupSeptember 2020September 2022
Research and Data CollectionSeptember 2020September 2022
Pilot Project AnalysisSeptember 2022November 2022

Research and Data Collection will include the following:

Collection of electronic products that meet the established initial parameters.

Data collection to evaluate the number of electronic products collected and the associated diversion rates.

Field monitoring to assess the operations in terms of resourcing and material handling.

Assessment of local and national downstream recycling market capacity and constraints.

Is there any issue of cross-subsidization regarding the funds from the electronics recycling program being used to support this pilot project?

No, by virtue of the definition of Electronics in the Electronics Designation Regulation, the Electronics Fund can be used for “all electrical and electronics equipment or devices.” There is no legislated or regulatory restriction that it must relate to a certain class of electronics or a certain period of time.

If any questions were not addressed above,
please email epilot@albertarecycling.ca
and we will be pleased to help.