End-of-life electronics, from smartphones and tablets to photocopiers and desktop computers, are managed through the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Program operated by Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES). The program allows residents and businesses to safely dispose of electronics at authorized collection depots, return-to-retail locations and at special collection events.
Learn more: Draft regulations for waste electronics and batteries posted
WEEE Program wind up
In February 2018, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change directed OES to wind up the WEEE Program on June 30, 2020. This will enable the transition of electronic waste to individual producer responsibility under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016.
Under the Waste Diversion Transition Act, 2016 (WDTA), the Authority is responsible for overseeing the orderly wind up of current waste diversion programs and the industry funding organizations (IFOs) responsible for managing those programs.
Program and IFO wind ups are initiated by the Ontario Government so that materials can transition to individual producer responsibility under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016. The IFO must develop a wind-up plan for the Authority’s approval that is consistent with the Minister’s directions, and with the WDTA and its regulations. The Authority is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the wind-up plan. Read the Authority’s Wind-Up Guide.
OES submitted its draft Wind-Up Plan to the Authority in December 2018. As part of the WEEE Program wind up, the recycling fee for electronics was reduced to $0.
Information related to the program wind up and future consultations will be posted on the Authority’s website when available. In the interim, Ontario Electronic Stewardship will continue to operate the WEEE Program without disruption. Please continue to contact them directly for any operational inquiries at operations@ontarioes.ca or customerservice@ontarioes.ca.
Minister’s direction on single-use batteries
On December 11, 2018 the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks amended the timelines associated with the wind up of the Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) Program. The Minister directed Stewardship Ontario to wind up the program for single-use batteries on June 30, 2020. This change will allow for a coordinated policy approach with the wind up of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Program on June 30, 2020. Read the letter.