4-minute read
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate
Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious businesses. At The Chamber, it is important for us to promote sustainable businesses and their green initiatives. In our Sustainability Spotlights, we will shift our focus towards sustainable practices and the people that adopt and amplify them.
Every year, businesses across Canada upgrade their tech – new laptops, monitors, phones, and other essentials for staying competitive. But what happens to the old equipment?
With World Recycling Day approaching, now is the perfect time for Winnipeg businesses to rethink how they dispose of electronic waste.
Why E-Waste Matters to Your Business
According to Business Development Canada, 91% of Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) invested in technology in 2021, spending roughly $118,000 per business (Seize the Technological Advantage: Why Digitally Mature Companies Perform Better, Jean Laneville, 2022). Larger companies likely spend even more. So where does all this outdated equipment go?
Most recycling facilities aren’t equipped to properly sort, break down, or refurbish electronic waste (e-waste), meaning valuable materials end up in landfills instead of being repurposed. This is a missed economic opportunity and an environmental risk – electronics contain plastics, minerals, and precious metals that, when improperly thrown away, can pollute our soil and water.
On the flip side, businesses that embrace e-waste recycling and upcycling help create a circular economy – reducing waste while ensuring technology is put to good use. Donated and refurbished electronics can be repurposed for non-profits, schools, and community organizations that may not have the budget for new tech but desperately need it.
How the Electronic Recycling Association is Making an Impact
For business leaders looking for a smarter way to recycle electronics, the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA) is leading the charge. Located at 1200 Sherwin Road here in Winnipeg, the ERA has been providing safe and responsible electronics recycling services since 2004. What started in Calgary, Alberta has since expanded across Canada and the U.S., offering:
- Electronic drop-off depots and business pick-up services
- Secure data wiping and shredding
- Refurbishing and donating equipment to non-profits, schools, and community groups
ERA is also committed to giving back – through youth scholarships, workshops, and school presentations, helping educate the next generation about the importance of sustainability in tech.
One of ERA’s most meaningful donations was to a local school in need.
Photo provided by the Electronic Recycling Association.
“Many students didn’t have access to technology at home, which affected their ability to learn. Through our donation, we were able to provide those students with the tools they needed to succeed in their education.”
– Lyndsay Yamzon, Accounts Payable at the Electronic Recycling Association
ERA’s work is about more than just recycling – it’s about ensuring technology reaches those who need it most.
How You Can Get Involved with the ERA
The most direct way to support responsible e-waste recycling is by donating your gently used electronics to the ERA. Tech like smartphones, laptops, monitors, printers and projectors that need little to no repairs are ideal. If donating isn’t an option, you can still make a difference – volunteer to sort and refurbish equipment, host an e-waste donation event at your business, or become a corporate sponsor to support ERA’s mission.
With World Recycling Day around the corner, now is the perfect time to take action. Recycling electronics doesn’t just reduce landfill waste, it helps Winnipeg build a circular economy, support local, and ensure tech reaches those who need it most.
So, be sure to reach out to the Electronic Recycling Association if you have any questions about donations or on how to get involved. Visit ERA’s website here.
“We invite The Winnipeg Chamber and its members to join us in raising awareness about responsible e-waste disposal, donating equipment, and supporting our mission through partnerships. So that together, we can create lasting change, reduce our environmental footprint and ensure more individuals in Winnipeg have access to the technology they need to thrive.”
– Lyndsay Yamzon, Accounts Payable at the Electronic Recycling Association
Looking to incorporate energy efficient technology in your business? Check out Efficiency Manitoba’s commercial programs today and reach out to your energy and climate advocate, Casey, to save money on your monthly energy bills and reduce your energy usage.
