Alberta Environment and Protected Areas Minister Rebecca Schulz made an exciting announcement on August 13 regarding the province’s electronics recycling program. The province will be expanding the program by adding about 500 new items to the list of electronics that can be recycled starting next April. This move comes after a successful pilot study in 2020 that saw an additional 15,000 tonnes of electronic waste diverted from landfills.
Prior to the pilot study, only a limited number of electronic devices were accepted for recycling in Alberta. This meant that many valuable and toxic metals in other electronic devices ended up in landfills. The pilot study, which cost $43 million, added items such as cell phones, power tools, and video game equipment to the recycling program. St. Albert residents alone recycled about 150 tonnes of electronics at the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot during the pilot.
The success of the pilot study has led the province to make the program permanent, with the additional 500 items set to be included in the recycling system as of April 1, 2025. This change is expected to divert an additional 5,500 tonnes of electronic waste from landfills each year. While residents may not notice any differences at the recycling depot, they will have to pay eco-fees ranging from $0.40 to $1 on the new items starting next April.
In addition to expanding the electronics recycling program, Minister Schulz also announced plans to develop Canada’s first permanent recycling programs for renewable energy technologies. This includes solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicle (EV) batteries. With the increasing use of these technologies in the province, there is a growing need for proper disposal and recycling options.
While solar panels last for decades and there are currently few in need of disposal, it is important to have a comprehensive recycling system in place for when the time comes. Similarly, EV batteries are still relatively new, but having a recycling program in place will be crucial as more electric vehicles hit the roads. These new recycling programs could also bring new job opportunities to Alberta, helping to diversify the economy.
Overall, the expansion of the electronics recycling program and the development of recycling programs for renewable energy technologies are positive steps towards a more sustainable future for Alberta. Residents can visit albertarecycling.ca for more information on the province’s recycling programs.