NAME: ANGELO M.

OSABEL
COURSE/YEAR: BSGE 2ND YEAR

GELI 210 LIVING WITH IT ERA

1. What is the primary approach Canada has adopted for managing

e-waste, and why is it considered advantageous?

Ans.
Extended producer responsibility (ERP), also often known as product stewardship, is the business model
that has been widely adopted across Canada, as in many other countries.
The popularity of this model lies in its potential to be the most cost effective way of managing e-waste.

2. How does extended producer responsibility (ERP) influence

manufacturers' behavior towards product design and environmental
considerations?

Ans.
If appropriately designed, ERP provides a direct incentive for manufacturers to incorporate environmental
considerations into product design; to keep product costs low and maintain their market competitiveness.
This should reduce the overall volume of e-waste that is generated and improve rates of reuse and
recycling.

3. What role does the federal government play in regulating

e-waste management in Canada?

Ans.
In Canada, there is no federal legislation directed specifically at e-waste management, although the
Federal government does have an indirect impact on e-waste regulation through its toxic substance
control legislation and through standards setting. E-waste legislation in Canada has been set mainly at
provincial level, and has primarily taken the form of regulations requiring extended producer
responsibility (ERP) or product stewardship for designated electrical and electronic products.

4. What are some of the achievements Canada has made in e-waste

management, particularly in terms of harmonization, education, technological
advancements, and performance?

Ans.
Harmonization: Although e-waste management strategies and legislation are determined mainly at
provincial level in Canada, programs have been harmonized to a large extent, thanks to the influence of
national bodies and standards. The national standards are aligned with international regulations and
guidance, ensuring that they are based on global best practice in the management of E-waste, and
reducing the burden on producers of having to comply with different national requirements.

Education and Awareness-Raising: Provincial ERP programs have included education and awareness-
raising components in order to help ensure that consumers, manufacturers, and e-waste service providers
can participate actively and meet their own responsibilities under the program.

Technological Developments: Considerable technological advances are being made which are likely to
improve the efficiency and safety of e-waste recycling and disposal and make e-waste management a
more profitable business opportunity in future. Canada has world-class e-waste recycling and research
facilities, such as the Edmonton Waste Management Centre, and is expected to lead the way in many
areas of technological development.

Performance: Provincial programs have reported significant achievements in e-waste recycling and
management. For example, between 2007 and 2010, the Electronics Stewardship Association of British
Columbia (ESABC) diverted 35,000 metric tonnes of electronics from landfills, with an average monthly
diversion of 1200+ metric tonnes, and in its first year of operations (2009/10) Ontario Electronics
Stewardship collected 17,303 tonnes of electronic waste, or 1.31 Kg per capita.

5. Despite Canada's progress in addressing the e-waste challenge,

what are some areas identified for further improvement in e-waste management?
Ans.

Coverage and Harmonization Gaps: A minority of Canadian provinces and territories have not yet
established formal regulations or programs for e-waste management. Also, though some degree of
program harmonization has been achieved between provincial programs, there are also notable
differences between them. This can complicate e-waste management compliance and increase costs for
manufacturers and service providers operating in multiple provinces.
Incentives for Improved Product Design: Though one of the main objectives of Extended Producer
Responsibility is to encourage improved environmental design of products to increase recyclability, the
types of programs introduced in Canada to date are not optimized for this effect. Canada’s provinces
might usefully consider the adoption of fee regimes that reward producers for improved environmental
design.
Recycling and Reuse Goals and Targets: Though Canada’s electronics stewardship organizations are
required to monitor and report on performance, greater use of formal goals and targets might be more
effective in driving improvements over time.
Business Opportunities: Promoting the business opportunities and encouraging commercial providers to
enter the e-waste management marketplace might help improve e-waste management capacity and
efficiency.