The government of Alberta has green-lit the Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) to recycle up to 24,600 tonnes of electronics products not previously accepted in the program. Under the two-year $43 million pilot project, municipalities will receive funding for collecting items included in the expansion with the results dictating the possibility of a permanently expanded electronics program.

“An expanded electronics program has the potential to inject $30 million annually into Alberta’s economy and support 360 additional full-time jobs in the recycling sector,” said Jason Nixon, the province’s Minister of Environment and Parks, in a statement. “These new jobs will come from increased demand for electronics collection and transportation, as well as jobs associated with processing and manufacturing the recycled material into new goods. ARMA has a strong record already, and recently hit a major milestone of 10 million electronic products recycled in Alberta. This expansion will help us recycle even more.”

Products in the expansion will include: audio visual equipment, telecom, cellphone/wireless devices, electronic gaming equipment, small home appliances, portable power tools, toys, musical instruments, and solar panels. During the pilot, consumers will not have to pay to recycle the products approved under the program.

Ed Gugenheimer, chief executive officer of the ARMA, commented, “We are excited for the many opportunities and benefits an expanded electronics recycling program could bring to Alberta’s burgeoning circular economy while continuing to contribute to the global effort to reuse and reduce waste. We’re confident we can do this because Albertans are our biggest champions and demonstrate on a daily basis a strong culture for recycling.”

It is estimated that the expanded program will divert up to an additional 12,300 tonnes from landfills annually.

For more information regarding the program, please visit ARMA’s website.