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.
WEEE Program wind up
The Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has directed OES to wind up the WEEE Program to enable the transition of electronic waste to individual producer responsibility under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016. The WEEE program will end on December 31, 2020.
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.
OES submitted their plan to wind up the WEEE program and OES itself to the Authority in December 2018. Between March and April 2019, the Authority consulted on the plan with municipalities, stewards and other affected stakeholders. Visit the consultation page to learn more about the consultation process and to read the final consultation report.
The Authority approved OES’s Wind Up Plan in August 2019, with conditions. Learn more:
During the transition period, Ontario Electronic Stewardship will continue to operate the WEEE Program without disruption. Any questions on the implementation of the wind up plan can be directed to: oeswindup@ontarioes.ca or call: 1-888-646-1820, ext. 11.
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. Read the letter.
New electrical and electronic equipment regulation
The Government of Ontario is currently developing new regulations for specified electrical and electronic equipment and batteries under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016. The Authority will be the regulator mandated by the government to enforce the requirements of the regulations when they take effect.
The new regulations will support the transition of existing waste diversion programs for waste electronics and batteries to a new system that makes producers environmentally accountable and financially responsible for their products at end-of-life.
The Government consulted on the proposed regulations between May and June 2019. You can review the proposed regulations on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. The proposed regulations outline several requirements, including:
- Establishing collection networks
- Achieving resource recovery (i.e. reduction, reuse and recycling) targets
- Educating consumers
- Registering with and reporting to the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority
- Other requirements, including record keeping and third-party audits
The proposed regulation sets out four defined categories for equipment:
- Information technology, telecommunications and audio visual equipment
- Lighting, including lighting equipment, fixtures and bulbs
- Large equipment, including appliances, power tools and fitness equipment, with at least one external dimension measuring more than 50 centimeters
- Small equipment, including appliances, power tools, monitoring and control equipment, which has no external dimension that measures more than 50 centimeters
Information related to the wind-up of the current waste diversion program for waste electronics and the implementation of the new regulation will be posted as it becomes available.