Alberta Recycling Alberta Recycling Management AuthorityManagement Authority

NAHMMA Hazardous Materials Management Conference

Christine Della Costa September 22, 2005

OutlineOutline

Framework for Alberta’s regulated stewardship programs

Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA)

Electronics, tiresHHW

What’s the Problem?What’s the Problem?(Or … why are we doing this??)(Or … why are we doing this??)

We need to:Reduce or divert the amount of material

going to landfillPreserve non-renewable resources through

effective recycling programsRemove hazardous materials from Alberta’s

air, land, water

A Viable Recycling Solution …A Viable Recycling Solution …

Needs:– Competitive forces– Adequate capacity and market– Service to all regions of province/state– Value-added products

Solutions can be market-driven, or driven by government regulation. Either way, the consumer pays … the issue is effectiveness.

The Alberta ApproachThe Alberta Approach(For electronics, tires, used oil materials, beverage containers)(For electronics, tires, used oil materials, beverage containers)

Material designated under regulation– Level playing field; reliable funding for program

Dedicated fund – Accountability and transparency– Separate fund for each material type

“Stakeholder” management– Affected parties make decisions; arms length from

Government

Framework for Alberta’s Regulated Framework for Alberta’s Regulated Stewardship ProgramsStewardship Programs

Regulation under the Act– Designates the material: e.g., electronics, tires– Delegates authority to set and collect fees

To a “Delegated Administrative Organization” (DAO)

– Prescribes use of funds Recycling program, R&D, Communications, Marketing

– Defines reporting and accountability requirements

What is a DAO?What is a DAO?

Not-for-profit organization under the Alberta Societies Act

Three DAOs: tires & electronics; used oil materials; beverage containers

Arms length from government, but accountable to the Minister of Environment

Stakeholder governance – Board representation: municipal, environmental, technical,

public, industry, government Full management, financial administration

Electronics Program: A Brief HistoryElectronics Program: A Brief History

2002/03: Electronics industry develops a national program model– Focused on residential TVs and desktop computers– EPSC

Provincial realities:– Jurisdiction/revenue allocation/accountability– Readiness to implement– Enforcement (e.g., who ensures revenue compliance)

Desire to harmonize provincial programs as much as possible

Electronics Program: Brief HistoryElectronics Program: Brief History

2004: Alberta program emerges Input sought on proposed Alberta program

– Ongoing discussions with industry; responded to industry’s priorities

– Public stakeholder consultation: strong support in principle

– Learned from Alberta’s voluntary computer recycling program

Draft Program developed, with core directives from Government

Electronics Program: Brief HistoryElectronics Program: Brief History

Core Directives from Government: CCME principles Level revenue playing field Reasonable access for all Albertans

Build on municipal partnership, infrastructure

Include commercial waste Open program for recyclers

Fair access / Market competition

Accountability

Electronics Program: Brief HistoryElectronics Program: Brief History

Regulation passed in May 2004– Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) the

managing DAO

Phased Program Implementation:– Oct 2004 – Collection and Processing initiated

Services established first, revenue second Processor qualification initiated

– Feb 2005 – Fees initiated on applicable electronics

Allowed industry more start-up time

ARMA StructureARMA Structure

ARMA is run by a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors and is accountable to the Minister of Environment

It has two divisions:1. Tire Recycling Alberta 2. Electronics Recycling Alberta Each material (tires, electronics) has its own separate fund Each has an Industry Council, with each Council’s Chair

being a voting member on the ARMA Board of Directors

Electronics ProgramElectronics ProgramRevenues: Fee structure implemented

– Computer Equipment Laptops/electronic notebooks $ 5 Printers/Printer combos $ 8 Computers (incl. mouse, keyboard, cables, etc.) $10 Computer Monitors (CRT and LCD) $12

– Televisions 18” screen and under $15 19” – 29” screen $25 30” – 45” screen $30 46” and over $45

Electronics ProgramElectronics Program

Fees can only be used for:– Collection, transportation and recycling of end-of-life

electronics material– Public information and awareness– Research into better recycling technologies– Market development – Program administration

Electronics ProgramElectronics Program

Revenues – Supplier registration and compliance

1600 suppliers registered Revenues ahead of projected budget Completeness of revenue is critical

– Comprehensive compliance processes established

Electronics ProgramElectronics Program

Collection network for Albertans– Municipal participation and infrastructure

More than 100 designated collection sites to-date Landfills, transfer stations, eco-stations, recycling

depots, round-ups Communications support – education/awareness Collection requirements and handling payment

Electronics ProgramElectronics Program

Processing Four processors registered and operating

– Are paid a per/tonne rate for processing, and for transportation (three transport “zones”)

– Compete for municipal clients– End-of-life material only – no funding for reuse/resale

of electronics equipment– Extensive environmental audit – first annual processor

audit complete – April: deficiency correction process, downstream verification process

Electronics: Recycling ResultsElectronics: Recycling Results

Approximately 1800 tonnes of e-waste processed as of August 2005, which translates to:– 43,000 monitors – 39,000 computers – 23,000 printers– 18,000 televisions

Tire Program: HistoryTire Program: History

Tire program was created in 1992 No recycling industry at the time Fee: $4/per tire

– Retail sales; no manufacturer involvement

Solutions were investigated inc. tire derived fuel – with public rejection

Early accepted solution was civil engineering applications inc. leachate layer for landfill cells

Tire Program: CurrentTire Program: Current

In Alberta: Three million tires are bought, discarded, and

recycled per year 35 million tires recycled since 1992

– All tire stockpiles have been eliminated

Recycled product in 140 community projects – paving stones, blocks, roofing tiles, crumb

Household Hazardous WasteHousehold Hazardous Waste

ARMA has administered the HHW program (on behalf of AENV) for the last two years

Program is currently a cost share arrangement between municipalities and AENV

More than $1 million per/year to run the program Treats & safely disposes of over one million litres of HHW

materials each year Majority of material collected is paint About 200 communities participated in 2004/05

Questions?Questions? ARMA Website: www.albertarecycling.caARMA Website: www.albertarecycling.ca