Nova Scotia residents and business owners will soon be able purge their basements and storage rooms of obsolete or broken computers, printers and televisions without throwing them in the garbage.

The first phase of a plan to recycle electronic waste is expected to be operating in Nova Scotia by Feb. 1, says Cathy McCarthy, spokeswoman for the Resource Recovery Fund Board.

"People will have to take their old computers and televisions to drop-off locations and they will also be guaranteed that the materials will be recycled properly," she said.

"None of the materials will end up in the landfill, where they might leach out heavy metals that are used to make computer and electronic equipment. Also, they are not going to be destined for the Third World, where they will be pulled apart by children."

By February, Nova Scotia will have a minimum of 33 e-waste collection depots.

The waste will be sent to a local processing centre to be dismantled or consolidated and then sold for recycling into new products.

"There is going to be a request for proposals that will go out very shortly looking for (drop-off) locations within the province, so once that is determined, then it will be made clear to the public where they can take their materials," Ms. McCarthy said.

While individuals and businesses dropping off old electronics won’t be charged a recycling fee, those buying new electronics will.

Recycling fees on new products range from $5 for a laptop computer to $45 for a wide-screen TV...

Recycling fees on new electronics purchases effective Feb. 1:

Televisions (all types)

18 inches or less: $15

19 to 29 inches: $25

30 to 45 inches: $30

46 inches or more: $45

Desktop computers (including the central processing unit and other parts contained in the unit): $10

Computer monitors: $12

Notebook or laptop

computers: $5

Source: Resource Recovery Fund Board

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