Ontario Electronic Stewardship

We are the Ontario Electronic Stewardship – an industry-led, not-for-profit organization that operates the regulated recycling program in Ontario. We ensure that end-of-life electronics are handled in a safe, secure and environmentally-sound manner. 67 million devices have been diverted from landfill since our program started in 2009 (Deloitte).

End-of-life electronics are dropped off at OES authorized collection depots, return-to-retail locations and at special collection events. In fact, 96.5% of Ontarians are within 10km of a collection depot.

The end-of-life electronics are then sent to audited and approved specialized recyclers for processing. New technology is used to break down old technology and harvest the raw materials that went into them including glass, plastics, and precious metals like gold and copper. Substances of concern like mercury and lead, are also handled responsibly to protect both the environment, and the health and safety of the workers handling them. The recovered materials are then put back into the manufacturing supply chain and used to make new products.

When you bring your old, unusable electronics to OES collection sites, you’re helping to:

• Keep end-of-life electronics out of landfills
• Prevent them from being illegally exported or handled by irresponsible recyclers
• And, you’re helping to recover and recycle valuable resources that can be put back into the manufacturing supply chain

It’s impossible to imagine a world today without electronics. Together, we can make sure it’s also impossible to imagine a world where piles of old electronics are sitting in landfills or harming our environment. Using and enjoying electronics today, also means responsibly recycling them for a cleaner tomorrow.