The Government of Alberta is expanding its recycling program.
Beginning in 2025, the province will start permanently recycling over 500 additional electronic items. These include items like cellphones, power tools and microwaves.
Additionally, Alberta will start the development of Canada’s first provincial recycling programs for solar panels, electric vehicle batteries and wind turbine components.
“Building on the success of the Electronics Recycling Pilot Program, we are stepping up to reduce waste and create the best recycling system in Canada – especially when it comes to proactively addressing materials from wind and solar electricity,” says Rebecca Schulz, minister of Environment and Protected Areas.
“We’re not just focused on what Albertans want to recycle today, but also what they’re going to want to recycle 20 years from now.”
Currently, Alberta’s regulated Electronics Recycling Program includes only computer equipment and televisions. Since 2020, the Alberta Recycling Management Authority has operated an Electronics Recycling Pilot Program, helping communities recycle over 500 different types of electronics.
The pilot will become a permanent part of Alberta’s recycling system, effective Apr. 1, 2025. Items that Albertans will be able to recycle will include:
- Power tools
- Lawn and garden equipment
- Small appliances (e.g. microwaves, coffee machines, digital bathroom scales)
- Cellphones / telephones
- A/V devices (e.g. speakers, DVD players and VCRs)
- Musical instruments (e.g. electric guitars, keyboards)
- Video game equipment
- Toys
These items can be dropped off at any of the 365 registered recycling depots in 148 municipalities across Alberta.
“ARMA’s expanded Electronics Recycling Program is protecting our environment, fostering innovation and shaping tomorrow’s solutions,” says ARMA CEO Ed Gugenheimer.
“By managing e-waste and tackling the complexities of renewable energy materials head on, we’re creating new opportunities, new industries and more jobs and building our circular economy. It means a more sustainable future without waste for Alberta.”
In Lethbridge, general manager of the City’s Waste and Environment Department, Mandi Parker says, “We are happy to see more material being diverted from the landfill.”
RECYCLING RENEWABLES
The province says there are currently no recycling programs or facilities dedicated to solar panels in Canada, “despite estimates that up to 80,000 tonnes of solar panels could reach end of life by around 2050.”
There are no provincial wind turbine recycling programs as well, and Quebec is the only province that offers a voluntary, industry-led EV battery recovery program.
The province says it will work with ARMA to consult with experts and industry partners on steps needed to set up a permanent provincial renewable energy recycling program. This process will include exploring what new programs and policies are needed to support solar panel recycling, including any potential fees or landfill bans.
Alberta’s government will also begin exploring steps needed to set up wind turbine and EV battery recycling programs moving forward.
BATTERIES
Officials note one of the biggest challenges in the electronics recycling sector is processing items that contain batteries, like ear pods and vapes. There is a growing list of items where fire risk is a concern for waste handlers.
An ARMA investment of $250,000 has helped Quantum Recycling install an AI-powered X-ray system. It can scan materials and automatically identify which item in the e-waste stream contains hazardous waste in real time.
The system primarily targets embedded batteries. Installed in Edmonton, it will allow Quantum Recycling to focus its time and labour on devices that specifically contain hazards, helping create a safer work environment.
“Alberta is home to a dynamic waste management and recourse recovery sector, which is why we continue to invest here,” says President of Quantum Life Partners Gary Diamond.
“We applaud the Alberta government for its leadership in allowing for a competitive collective system and ensuring all products with a battery or plug are recycled. These initiatives lead to market stability and scale required for companies like Quantum to grow our operations and provide amazing service to all Albertans with the highest environment outcomes and the lowest possible cost.”
More on recycling in the province is available at the Government of Alberta website.
