New End-of Life Electronic Products Recycling Program Launched in New Brunswick.

News Release –  March 30, 2017
For Immediate Release

New End-of Life Electronic Products Recycling Program Launched in New Brunswick

Fredericton, NB – Starting March 30, 2017, New Brunswickers across the province will be able to responsibly recycle their old and unused electronic products while helping the environment at the same time. The Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA), a not-for-profit, industry-led organization, has launched a new recycling program aimed at keeping end-of-life electronics out of New Brunswick landfills.

“We listened and we are getting things done by establishing an electronic waste recycling program for New Brunswickers that will help protect our environment by making industry responsible for its waste and removing harmful materials from our landfills,” said Environment and Local Government Minister, Serge Rousselle. “This program will also contribute to the province’s green economy and I am very proud of the work Recycle NB has achieved in collaborating with EPRA in order for this initiative to take shape in New Brunswick.”

While the EPRA program is new to the province of New Brunswick, it is already active around the country. New Brunswick is now one of ten provinces to adopt this method of responsible recycling of end-of-life electronics and is the ninth program operated by EPRA in Canada.

“EPRA programs work to keep 100,000 metric tonnes of end-of-life electronics out of Canadian landfills each year through convenient and regulated electronics recycling programs. Plus, recovered materials go back into the manufacturing of new products so that fewer natural resources are extracted from the environment,” says Cliff Hacking, President and CEO of EPRA. 

EPRA New Brunswick will work in partnership with electronics manufacturers, distributors and retailers (brand owners/stewards), provincial and municipal governments and consumers to ensure end-of-life electronics are diverted from landfills and recycled in an efficient and responsible manner.  The program is approved by Recycle NB and operates on behalf of obligated brand owners/stewards in accordance with standards established by the electronics industry.

“We are pleased to bring this recycling program to the people of this province and to provide convenient locations for New Brunswickers to bring their end-of-life electronics for responsible recycling,” says Gerard MacLellan, Executive Director, EPRA Atlantic Canada. “We’ve set up 40 authorized EPRA Drop-off Centres around the province with more to follow. Residents and businesses can drop off their unwanted electronics, free of charge, for safe and secure recycling starting March 30th.”

A complete list of Drop-off Centres and what electronic products are accepted is available at www.recycleMYelectronics.ca/nb

Information on EPRA New Brunswick is available online at www.recycleMYelectronics.ca/nb

 

EPRA MEDIA CONTACT: Tracey Stephenson, tstephenson@m5.ca, 506.852.7281 506.850.8077

Information on Recycle NB and its programs is available online at www.recyclenb.com

Recycle NB MEDIA CONTACT:  Pat McCarthy, CEO, Recycle NB, 506-454-8473

 

EPRA Background

As a recognized industry-led not-for-profit organization, EPRA provides an approved environmental compliance program for manufacturers, distributors and retailers of electronics. It is responsible for implementing and operating, on behalf of its brand owners/stewards, a responsible program for the recovery and reclamation of electronic products in accordance with standards established by the electronics industry.

From drop-off and dismantling to processing and recycling, end-of-life electronics are managed to the highest environmental standards.

Once collected and sorted, items are sent to an EPRA-approved recycling facility to remove substances of concern for proper downstream management. All other materials are separated to recover recyclable materials such as metals, plastics and glass so they can be processed into new products.

 

What Electronic Products are accepted?

EPRA New Brunswick accepts and recycles a range of regulated electronic products including:

  • Display devices (such as televisions and monitors)
  • Desktop printers, computers and peripherals (such as keyboards)
  • Home theatre in a box (HTB) systems
  • Cellular devices
  • Non-cellular telephones
  • Audio and video systems

###