Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs shift the responsibility and cost of the collection and end-of-life management of designated products from municipalities to producers. In doing so, EPR programs provide an incentive to producers to incorporate environmental considerations into the design of their products.
The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment and its member jurisdictions are committed to developing and implementing EPR programs for a variety of products and packaging types through a Canada-wide Action Plan. In Newfoundland & Labrador, MMSB works with the Department of Environment and Climate Change to research and develop EPR regulations. Once regulations are established, MMSB is responsible for ensuring that producers comply with approved timelines, operational requirements and diversion targets as established in EPR program plans.
Newfoundland and Labrador currently has EPR programs for the following categories: electronics, waste paint and used oil and glycol.
In 2013, an EPR program was launched in Newfoundland and Labrador for the management of electronic waste.
The EPR program for electronics allows residents and businesses in the province to properly dispose of electronic waste through programs offered by producer responsibility organizations working on behalf of electronic product manufacturers. The following programs are currently operating in Newfoundland and Labrador:
Recycle My Electronics
Recycle My Electronics is a program offered by the Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA) to provide recycling and safe disposal options for a variety of electronic products. Since the launch of the EPR program for electronics in 2013, EPRA has diverted over six million kilograms of electronic waste from landfills.
2019-2023 EPRA Stewardship Plan
Find Collection Locations Near You
Recycle My Cell
Recycle My Cell is a program offered by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA). Since 2013, the program has recycled more than 79,500 cell phones.
2019-2023 Recycle My Cell NL Stewardship Plan
Find Collection Locations Near You
Recycle Your Set Top Boxes & PVRs
Bell Aliant operates a program to collect set top boxes and personal video recorders (PVRs) that are provided by cable service providers. Since 2013, more than 362,000 set-top boxes have been recycled through the program. You can check with your cable service provider about returning your old or unneeded set top boxes and PVRs.
2019-2024 Bell Aliant Electronic Products Stewardship Plan
In 2012, an EPR program was launched in Newfoundland and Labrador to manage waste paint.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the management of leftover paint falls under the Product Care Recycling – an industry-led producer responsibility organization. Residents and businesses can properly dispose of paint products and containers in a convenient and environmentally friendly manner at collection sites located throughout the province.
Since the program launched in 2012, over 1.4 million litres of paint have been diverted from our landfills.
2018-2023 Product Care Paint Stewardship Plan
Used Oil and Glycol Products (fluids and containers)
While oil recycling has been available in Newfoundland and Labrador since 2002, the safe disposal of oil and glycol evolved significantly in 2019 with the introduction of an industry-led program.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the management of used oil and glycol falls under the Used Oil Management Association (UOMA) – an industry-led producer responsibility organization.
Used oil and glycol are hazardous wastes – they contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals such as lead and cadmium that must be disposed of properly. Safe disposal is very important – these materials should never be put in the garbage or poured down the drain. Government regulations ban such practices in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Residents can properly dispose of used oil and glycol products by finding a drop off location. Businesses that generate a quantity of used oil products can find a Registered UOMA Collector and have the products picked up.
Find a drop off location or a UOMA Registered Collector at Recyclemyoil.ca
In 2021 UOMA reported over 4.1 million liters of used oil and glycol being diverted from landfills – as well as 220 kilograms of filters and containers.
2019-2023 Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Glycol Stewardship Plan