Under the Ontario Electronic Stewardship, the new Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Program (WEEEProgram), came in being yesterday April 1st, 2009.

As of April 1st, anyone who buys a piece of electronic equipment listed under Phase 1 guidelines will, in all likelihood, be paying another tax.

The Program was initiated by the government partly as a measure to prevent electronic waste (E-waste) being shipped to countries where e nvironmental issues about the disposal of the equipment have become of global concern.

Bill Jones, Director of Public Works for Saugeen Shores, says that the Provincial Government has been working with manufacturers on the program for approximately two years. "There may be some funding coming through for municipalities to dispose of their E-waste which may result in reduced costs for users at the landfill site. We just aren't sure yet exactly how everything is going to work but it's a good plan for the environment."

In the end, the costs will be passed on to the consumer. Wal-Mart in Saugeen Shores began charging the sur-tax today (April 2/09) on anything sold through their electronic equipment division. The program extends only to electronic equipment and does not include any hazardous waste materials.

The list is very extensive but, among the items that fall within the WEEEProgram are:

Information Technology Equipment

Copier
Personal Computer (Handheld)
Personal digital assistant (PDA)
Computer flatbed scanner
Typewriter
Telecommunications Equipment
Modem
Page
Telephone (Cellular)
Telephone (Cordless)
Telephone (Wire line)
Telephone answering machine
Audio Visual Equipment
Amplifier
Audio player (tape, disk, digital)
Audio recorder (tape, disk, digital)
Camera (tape, disk, digital)
 

Equalizer
Preamplifier
Radio
Receiver
Speaker
Tuner
Turntable
Video player or projector (tape,
disk, digital)
Video recorder (tape, disk, digital)

Desktop computers

A desktop computer or computer terminal that requires
a standard AC power plug for its primary source of power.
Computer terminals
Microcomputer
Minicomputer
Personal computer
(Desktop)
• Includes products commonly referred to as desktops, computers,
computer terminals, desktops acting as servers, thin clients, microcomputers,
and minicomputers.
• Computer terminal that are
embedded into non-Phase 1
products
• Portable computers
identified in Phase 2 (e.g.
PDAs)
• Products classified as
Computer Peripherals under
this Plan.

Portable Computers

A computer that contains a CPU and that can operate through self-contained battery.
Personal computer (Laptop)
Personal computer
(Notebook)
Personal computer
(Notepad)
• Includes products commonly called laptops, notebooks, notepads and tablet PC
• Portable computers identified in Phase 2 such as PDAs
• Other handheld devices
Computer
Peripherals

For a complete listing and to learn more about the program click here