In line with TD Canada Trust’s current environmental initiatives with the Friends of the Environment Foundation, branches in Fergus and Elora are now promoting proper disposal of electronic waste.
Anyone storing old computers or cell phones can safely and freely dispose of them on Aug. 29 at the GSW parking lot in Fergus.
“Our community is very environmentally conscious,” said Peter Baldasso, branch manager at TD Canada Trust in Fergus. “The response to this event has been overwhelming and we look forward to offering a great solution for ewaste to the residents and businesses in the community and surrounding areas. TD Canada Trust is very excited to work with Greentec on this event to promote environmental awareness.”
The event will help to divert hazardous electronic waste from local landfills. Ontario consumers and businesses throw out more than 90,000 tonnes of old computers, servers, printers, cartridges, cell phones, and personal digital assistants every year.
The public can drop off used electronic equipment from 10am to 2pm at the GSW parking lot.
Staff will be available to assist in unloading the equipment from vehicles
“You will not even have to get out of your vehicle” said Baldasso.
All items are then shipped directly to Greentec’s facility for processing.
Acceptable items for drop off include: computers, printers, print cartridges, fax machines, keyboards, mice, CD ROMS, disk drives, televisions, and cell phones. All other electronics can be recycled through Greentec’s processing facility located in Cambridge, Ontario.
“Disposing of electronic equipment represents a huge environmental hazard,” said Tony Perrotta, Chief Executive Officer of Greentec, one of the few ewaste recyclers fully certified and approved by the Ministry of the Environment.
“Computers especially are filled with compounds of mercury, lead, arsenic, and hexavalent chromium. If you have old computers at home taking up space, this collection day is the best and safest way to dispose of them.”
In Ontario, it is illegal to dump ewaste in landfills, with many municipalities charging a disposal fee for each piece of electronic equipment.
With a current collection rate of only 27%, most of the remaining electronic waste is now being dumped in Ontario or U.S. landfills, according to Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES).
“Nothing leaves Greentec’s recycling facilities that is dangerous to the environment or human health,” said Perrotta.
“Where possible we will refurbish and recycle to increase the lifecycle of electronics, and every item that has reached its end-of-life is safely and correctly disposed of according to ministry guidelines.”
Greentec’s security processes ensure all information stored on devices is permanently and anonymously destroyed before disposal or refurbishment.
For a complete list of acceptable items, contact Greentec at 519-624-3300 or email info@greentec.com, or contact the bank branch directly by emailing Peter Baldasso at peter.baldasso@td.com.
