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Electronics Recycling Fees at Work in Ontario

Fees are one way to fund recycling programs for the products you purchase. When you purchase an item, such as electronics, these fees cover the cost for making sure the electronics that no longer work or are out-of-use don’t just end up in a landfill, but are safely and responsibly managed for both the valuable components they contain, as well as the substances of concern. In the Ontario recycling program for electronics, the up-front fee you may pay when you purchase a new item is called an Environmental Handling Fee, or EHF.

Ontario’s e-waste diversion program is managed by Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES), an industry funding non-profit organization governed by the electronics industry, with oversight of Waste Diversion Ontario, according to the Waste Diversion Act 2002. OES operates end-to-end services to manage those out-of-use electronics; including: collection, transportation, processing (or recycling), as well as financial incentives for those services.

OES is paid by monthly fees that are charged to Stewards (an electronics manufacturer or importer or retailer/distributor).

The majority of the fee (89 cents of every fee dollar) is directed towards ensuring the business operations of approved and contracted service providers who meet environmental and health and safety standards. Only 7% of the fee is used to support program administration. The balance of the fee is used to promote and educate consumers and businesses on where and how they may safely dispose and drop off their out-of-use electronics—currently 44 accepted items in the program—for reuse or recycling at no charge.

Together with OES, our network of municipalities, retailers, non-profits and commercial organizations are working hard to meet our goals and deliver on our mandate of environmentally responsible and cost effective end-of-life electronics collection. And your recycling fees are hard at work for the environment and you, Ontario.

Consumers of electronics are a driving force behind this program. When the electronics you use at home, at the office, school or on the go are no longer needed, we can help point you in the right direction to ensure convenient, safe and responsible reuse or recycling. Go to recycleyourelectronics.ca to search for the drop-off location nearest you.