Sask. residents recycle 25K tonnes of electronics

We all have them laying around our homes old televisions, computers, monitors,stereo systemstaking up space and collecting dust.

Since the Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA) Saskatchewan started in 2007, about25,000tonnes of old electronics in the province havebeen collectedand recycled by the not-for-profit organization.

Recent polls indicate that over80 per centof us are still hanging on to end-of-life electronics.-GayleenCreelman, program director ofEPRASaskatchewan

According toGayleenCreelman, program director ofEPRASaskatchewan, that's more thanthe weight of 150 Statues of Liberty.

"We're thrilled with the uptake from Saskatchewan residents who have been so enthusiastic about theprogram,"sheadded.

She said in 2015 alone, about 400,000 devices were collected and recycled.

Benefits for Saskatchewan

When electronics are collected and recycled, Creelmanexplained it benefits theprovince intwo ways:bykeeping more waste out oflandfillsand itcreatesa sustainable solution of "urban mining"by reusing and recovering precious metals and elements from the old junk.

For example, she said one tonne of recycledtablets can produce324 times more gold than one tonne of ore.

And although the province has reached a big milestone already,the organization is busy working towards the next goal of another 25,000tonnes.

"Recent polls indicate that over80 per centof us are still hanging on to end-of-life electronics," she said."I encourage every Saskatchewan residents to drop-off theseitems for recycling throughEPRA."

To find out more about drop-off locations and recyclable items, click here.