The Manitoba government announced Tuesday that it would bring back temporary e-waste depots across the province, starting in May.
The depots will be open from May through September, but exact dates and locations for the recycling program have yet to be finalized.
E-waste consists of any broken or unwanted electrical or electronic appliance that cannot be repaired or salvaged for parts. Computers, VCR's, mobile phones and microwaves are among the items accepted free of charge at the e-waste recycling depots.
Jim Rondeau, the province's minister of science, technology, energy and mines, said 305,000 kilograms — or 30 semi-trailer loads — of e-waste was collected through a similar program last year.
Rondeau said making sure the electronics are properly recycled is the biggest obstacle. The items are kept out of landfills and taken to Sims Recycling in Brampton, Ont.
Rondeau acknowledged that opening the depots permanently in Manitoba would be ideal. He said public demand for proper e-waste recycling is growing, and permanent depots in Manitoba may soon become reality.
"We're working with industry, and different areas where we can then get a permanent system," he said.
"What's nice is that a lot of the people are repeating, so the depots are the same last year and this year, and then we can move forward in the very near future on a permanent system."
Thirty depots will open across the province, four of them in Winnipeg. Specific operating dates and times will be announced later this month. |
