Wellington County has been collecting electronic waste for several years, but now, with a profit in sight, it is growing.
Solid waste services committee chairman Don McKay told council on March 29 his committee was recommending an expansion.
A report to the committee by county engineer Gord Ough noted the first electronic waste collection was held in 2009, and the county then expanded to seven collections a year – one in each municipality.
Ough explained that Ontario Electronic Stewardship, a not-for-profit organization, oversees electronic waste recycling in the province. The goal is to provide convenient locations for people to recycle their electronic equipment.
The county currently has a contract with Global Electronic Processing to provide collection and recycling services. That contract provides the county with net revenue of $100 per year and solid waste services has collected 226.54 tonnes of electronics through its waste collection days to date.
But Ough said the demand for disposal of electronics is likely to increase because “consumers are replacing older technology with the latest and greatest. This trend is resulting in more and more waste electronics needing to be managed.”
He added, “The market for waste electronics to recover precious metals has become very competitive. This competitive environment is generating more revenue opportunities for those who collect waste electronics.”
He said because of that, Ontario Electronic Stewardship has simplified some of its packaging and handling requirements in order to encourage more drop-off locations and collection events.
That includes allowing municipalities and retailers to collect electronics in enclosed roll-off bins.
Ough said that collection method removes the need for materials to be sorted, placed on pallets and shrink wrapped.
He said given the change in circumstances, he was recommending all six county waste facilities begin collecting electronic waste.
“Several companies were contacted and have indicated they would be interested in providing this service to the county,” said Ough.
He added all the bins and collection costs would be covered by the contractor and a price per pound would be paid to the county.
Ough estimated that with a request for proposals sent in March, collection could being by July.
As well, he said, the county would continue with the seven event days for electronics collection in each of the municipalities.
Councillor Lou Maieron pointed out his municipality, Erin, does not have a collection centre, but a private company takes electronic waste – about 5,000 pounds of it per year.
He also noted another private company has placed bins close to the entrances of Erin to offer free electronic waste collection. But, Maieron said, that has some “welcome to town” issues and he hopes solid waste services will investigate the operation.
McKay said while he can appreciate that company’s initiative, the committee does have some concerns. He said the bins are “in the open” and they are “not regulated.”
He added there is “a concern anything could be thrown in” to those bins. And, “With collection, we do get revenue. Not very much – so it’s not a burden on the taxpayer.”
McKay added the county has considered such bins itself, but the committee decided collection at the six waste facilities is easier to control.
Maieron said he wants it clear that “Erin had nothing to do with this” outside company.
He added the owner “has been very diligent” and has moved the bins that were found on road allowances … to private property.”
Councillor George Bridge said he wants to make sure the recycled material does not make its way to the Third World.
McKay said county officials have made sure that is not the case, and the collection operation is “environmentally friendly.”
Councillor Ken Chapman said of the bins at entrances to Erin, there is a concern the boxes are too close to the road, and there is also a concern waste could leach from those bins and onto county property.
“Who’s going to clean it up?” Chapman asked. “If there’s leachate, it’s going to go towards the road. That’s my concern.”
Council then approved the solid waste services committee recommendations.
