Canadians dispose of more than one million tons of electronic waste every year and the numbers are only expected to rise.
Meanwhile, environmentalists have demanded expanded e-waste management sites, and the 3069 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps has heard the call.
It is working in partnership with Alberta Recycling Management Authority’s (ARMA) e-recycling program aimed at reining in electronic waste at landfills.
The cadet core is hosting its third-annual Electronics Recycling Event currently running until April 28 at St. Albert Legion, Branch 271 at 6 Tache Street.
During the collection period, cadets have parked a full-size sea can in the legion’s north side parking lot. The public is welcome to dispose of approved electronics that have reached the end of their lifecycle. No fee is charged.
Approved electronics are basically anything with a plug. The extensive list of more than 500 items includes televisions, office equipment, computers, electronic lawn and garden tools, power and air tools, solar panels, telecom devices, games, toys, music apparatus, small kitchen appliances, power cords and so much more.
Cadets fundraise for special projects since the Department of National Defence (DND) only partially subsidizes the royal Canadian Army Cadet program, an equal-opportunity program that encourages leadership training and outdoor expeditions.
There are no fees to join and the DND provides uniforms and the basic cost of training. However, if an individual group wants to provide additional events, such as the cadets' traditional Christmas Mess at the legion, it is tasked with finding its own funds.
The electronics recycling event benefits three parties. Householders get rid of junk accumulating dust, cadets raise funds for extras, and polluting electronics parts are kept out of landfills.
The full list of acceptable electronics is available at https://armaepilot.com/product-list/.
