Collecting the goods, diverting the bads: An analysis of e-waste collection mechanisms for British Columbia

Thousands of tonnes of electronic waste are disposed of in Canadian landfills annually. Of concern are waste volumes and substances that have been linked to adverse effects on human health and the environment. Development of stewardship programs for management of end-of-life electronics (ELE) is a global challenge for industry and governments. The Canadian electronics industry is working with the federal and provincial governments to develop stewardship programs for products re-engineering, reduced packaging and collection mechanisms for the diversion of ELE from the solid waste stream wherever possible. This thesis examines the current mechanisms employed by various jurisdictions for collection of ELE. The findings revealed that the program for collection of ELE in British Columbia program will require a blend of mechanisms: drop-off depots, special one-day collection events and return to retailer/manufacturer and will be region specific.