| he past few years, Canada has become very | | | | and cellphones. But there are additional programs |
| concerned about e-waste recycling electronic | | | | that focus on other parts of the e-waste |
| waste. Electronics such as computers and cell | | | | recycling movement. Contacting programs like |
| phones can hold hazardous materials, which means | | | | these can help people to get information about |
| they cannot be disposed of in regular landfills. | | | | where they can drop off old electronics. |
| Because these electronics may have materials in | | | | Companies have also begun to become concerned |
| them such as lead mercury, it can be harmful to | | | | about the topic of e-waste. There are now some |
| humans and the environment. | | | | companies that are stepping up to make an |
| Previously, Canada has disposed of e-wastes in | | | | example of how important it is to contribute to |
| other ways besides the use of recycling. Although | | | | recycling. In Canada, Sony has a recycling |
| recycling was used, it wasn't the choice of the | | | | program that it has created for its own products. |
| majority. In 2002, there are 157,000 metric tons | | | | People that have purchased Sony products that |
| of e-waste that was disposed of. Out of this | | | | they no longer use are now encouraged to send |
| statistic, the disposal via recycling was only 9,000 | | | | them in to the company. The company will then |
| metric tons. It has been estimated that waste | | | | recycle the products properly. Many other |
| disposal may rise to 206,000 metric tons in 2010 | | | | companies are starting to follow this trend. |
| alone. | | | | In general, the e-waste recycling movement still |
| The general goal beyond all of this is to keep this | | | | has farther to go. Canada's society has made a |
| type of waste outside of the landfills. If e-waste | | | | great effort to reduce the amount of e-waste |
| is not properly disposed of in a landfill, it can | | | | that is disposed of improperly, and continues to |
| effect the rest of the environment around it and | | | | do so. But there are many that still do not know |
| make people sick. The best way to prevent this | | | | about e-waste and the risks it can pose if it is not |
| from happening is to recycle waste properly. This | | | | recycled. It should then become the responsibility |
| can be done any all of the drop-off points that | | | | of those who know about this information to |
| are available in Canada. | | | | promote it as well. Canada understands that if this |
| It is important to understand, however, that there | | | | does not happen, e-waste can truly harm our |
| are people who do not know about e-waste or | | | | environment and everyone. |
| that it can be recycled. There are many individuals | | | | For those that would like to know about more |
| that do not know that cell phones and other | | | | about e-waste recycling electronic waste, there |
| electronics can be recycled. In order to change | | | | are a few steps you can take. Try to find out if |
| that, the government must take further initiative | | | | there are recycling programs in your city and |
| to educate people about the necessity for | | | | your area's stance on e-waste. You can find a lot |
| e-waste recycling as a whole. | | | | of this information in local listings or even on the |
| There are a lot of non-profit organizations in | | | | internet. When you have found a program to |
| Canada which are already working to promote | | | | contribute with, tell your friends and family about |
| this concept to the public. In general, you may | | | | it. E-waste can be prevented if everyone begins |
| notice that there are many organizations that | | | | to contribute. |
| focus on the recycling of rechargeable batteries | | | | |