What you can do about it

by Patricia Jordan

Canadians have an important role to play in the stewardship of the planet and its resources. The United Nations estimates that 50 million tonnes of electronic waste are generated annually. A disproportionate amount of that electronic waste is exported from industrialised countries to developing countries. Electronic waste is the most heavily traded toxic waste on the planet. Visit BAN.org to view photographs of toxic electronic waste dumping sites in Africa and China.

If you are like me, then you have an old computer and monitor in storage. And, you are asking yourself, “How do I responsibly dispose of my unwanted electronic waste?” The good news is there are several options available to you. For example, items can be posted on an online exchange bulletin board or donated to recycle programs through reputable electronic waste recyclers so that equipment is reconditioned and reused.

The Recycling Council of British Columbia (RCBC) operates services that provide consumers with information and resources that are available in British Columbia. The RCBC Recycling Hot-line (rcbc.bc.ca/services/recycling_hotline.htm) is a comprehensive, toll-free service that provides information on waste reduction, recycling, disposal and pollution prevention. The RCBC Materials Exchange Program (bc.reuses.com) and RCBC Electronic Materials Exchange Program (bcemex.ca) are free province-wide services facilitating the reuse and recycling of products and materials.

Encorp Pacific (Canada) (encorp.ca) is a federally incorporated not-for-profit stewardship corporation that provides stewardship services on a contract basis to the electronics industry for the collection and recycling of regulated products. A province-wide end-of-life electronics recycling program is available to consumers and businesses.

Did You Know?

• Canadians throw out more than 140,000 tonnes of computer equipment every year.
• Many electronic waste recyclers export materials to other countries rather than recycling materials in Canada.
• Canadians generate approximately 31 million tonnes of garbage a year and only recycle about 30 per cent of that material.

Does Your Law Firm Have a “Green Strategy”?
I would like to hear about your firm’s “Green Strategy” and share that information online. For more information about recycling, see “Green Your Law Firm” in “Practice Resources” at cba.org/bc. Information and resources on environmentally friendly products, fuel efficient vehicles and more is available in “Transportation.”

Patricia Jordan is the CBABC Web Manager. She welcomes your comments, questions and suggestions. Tel: 604-646-7861; E-mail: pjordan@bccba.org

This article was published in the December 2008 issue of BarTalk. © 2008 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.