Since 2004, Canada has taken a large interest in recycling electronic waste.  In fact, medals for the Vancouver Olympics were made with metals extracted from e-waste.  Almost every province in Canada has, or is in the process of developing, programs to ensure e-waste is disposed of safely. 
 
Items such as cell phones and computers are considered to be hazardous waste materials and cannot be disposed of in a landfill.  The electronics contain materials such as mercury or lead that can be harmful to the environment and the population.
 
However, there are still many people who do not know what e-waste is or how to go about recycling it.  According to an article in the Toronto Star, Ontario's electronic waste disposal program collected only one-third of its target goal in its first year of operation.  Even with over 500 collection points across the province, a lack of regulation has led to unusable parts being dumped in landfills in North America or being illegally shipped to developing nations.
 
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E-waste: How do you dispose of your electronics?  Have you researched the practices of current electronic recycling programs in your area? Comment or take our poll.

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