We can be certain that a cache of old electronics will suddenly crop up by the end of this holiday season as millions of Canadians receive new electronic toys for Christmas.
But according to a new survey from Samsung, many Canadians still don’t know what to do with their old electronics or e-waste.
“Almost 10 million Canadians are likely to give electronic gifts this holiday season, but at the same time, we’re seeing that close to the same number of Canadians may not know what to do with old electronics,” said Andrew Barrett, VP Marketing for Samsung Canada.
1 in 3 respondents (35%) say their old electronics are just gathering dust stored in their homes, while 1 in 10 admit to throwing their e-waste into the garbage.
E-waste can contain hazardous materials and presents special challenges when it comes to end-of-life disposal.
After the last pieces of gift wrapping paper have settled post-holidays, take the time to round up those old or obsolete electronics for responsible recycling. Samsung is just one of the many electronics companies that has set up a recycling program. The Samsung Recycling Direct initiative offers more than 40 year-round e-waste drop-off depots across Canada. In 2012, Samsung says it helped recycle more than 1.3 million pounds of e-waste across the country.
Visit samsung.com/hopeforchildren for a list of Samsung Recycling Direct depot locations across Canada.
Other interesting trends revealed from the survey include:
- Men are more likely than women to give electronics as gifts this holiday season (33% of men vs 24% of women)
- BC and Alberta residents are most likely to give electronics as gifts (both provinces at 32% vs 28% national average)
- Albertans are most likely to store their old e-waste at home (45% vs. 35% national average)
- Respondents age 18-34 were most likely to give electronics as gifts (32% vs. 28% national average) and to store old e-waste at home (54% vs. 35% national average)
- BC residents are most likely to recycle their e-waste (63% vs. 48% national average)
