Consumer FAQ’S

  1. What is Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship (ACES)?
  2. How is the program funded?
  3. Is the EHF a tax?
  4. How much are the environmental handling fees?
  5. How will I know whether I’ve paid a fee on my purchase?
  6. Why should I have to pay a fee on the purchase of new electronics? 
  7. Why have the environmental handling fees (EHFs) changed?
  8. How were the EHFs for products determined?
  9. What are the regulated electronic items included in the ACES Program? 
  10. Isn’t it important to re-use before recycling? 
  11. Do I have to pay to drop off my unwanted electronics?
  12. Will I get money back when I return my used electronics?
  13. Where can I return my used electronics?
  14. What if I have a large volume of unwanted electronics?
  15. Why is this program important?
  16. Who is managing the program?
  17. Why should I recycle my used electronics?
  18. What is the Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship (ACES) Program?
  19. Where will my electronics go?
  20. How are electronics recycled?
  21. Can I get used computer parts from ACES?
  22. If I return my unwanted computer, how do I know my personal information won’t be seen or stolen?
  23. How does ACES ensure that electronics are recycled responsibly? 
  24. How are fees applied to products that are bundled as a package by the retailer or as a combination product?

What is Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship (ACES)?
The Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship (ACES) Program is an industry-led electronics recycling program approved by the Province of Nova Scotia and available to all consumers and businesses in the province.

How is the program funded?
An Environmental Handling Fee (EHF) will be applied to the sale of new electronics products regulated in Nova Scotia. All program revenue will be used for the administration, collection, transportation and responsible recycling of unwanted electronics in Nova Scotia. The implementation of the fee coincides with the start up of the ACES program, February 1, 2008.

Is the EHF a tax?
No, the fees you pay when purchasing regulated electronic products are used solely to fund the electronics recycling program and are not remitted to government.

How much are the environmental handling fees?
The following environmental handling fees will be charged on the sale of new electronics products:

  • Desktop Computers - $10.50 (including bundled components)
  • Computer Peripherals - $0.90
  • Portable Computers - $2.10
  • Desktop Printers - $6.50
  • Display Devices (televisions & monitors) - $11.50-$40 (depending on size)
  • Personal/Portable Audio/Video Systems - $ 0.40
  • Vehicle Audio/Video Systems (Aftermarket) - $ 2.75
  • Home Audio/Video Systems - $ 3.50
  • Home Theatre in a Box (HTB) Systems - $ 6.00
  • Non-Cellular Telephones - $ 0.85

How will I know whether I’ve paid a fee on my purchase?
The environmental handling fee (EHF) charged on the sale of new electronics products included in the program may appear on your sales receipt.

Why should I have to pay a fee on the purchase of new electronics?
The ACES Program is an important initiative for the environment. The program is not funded by general taxpayers or the government, but by consumers and producers of electronics products. Environmental Handling Fees (EHF) on the sale of new products assists in covering the costs of recycling historic and orphaned waste. The fee will ensure that unwanted electronics are processed responsibly and do not end up in our landfills or exported to developing nations.

Why have the environmental handling fees (EHFs) changed?
The EHFs are designed to accurately reflect the true costs (administration, collection, transportation and responsible recycling) of managing obligated products within the ACES program. ACES reviewed the EHFs and adjusted them to reflect both current market conditions and enhanced program efficiencies. As a result, the majority of fees have been reduced on products initially regulated under Phase 1 of the program.

How were the EHFs for products determined?
ACES partnered with similar electronics recycling programs in Saskatchewan (SWEEP) and British Columbia (ESABC) to hire an independent third party to perform an analysis of Environmental Handing Fees (EHFs) for regulated end-of-life electronics. As a result of the third party analysis, EHFs were recommended for each province. For more information on how the fees are determined, please visit www.eStewardship.ca.

What are the regulated electronic items included in the ACES Program?
The following electronic products are accepted in the ACES Program:

Desktop Computers
Includes Central Processing Units (CPUs), mice, keyboards, cables and other components within the computer. This includes desktop computers, desktop computers acting as servers, and all associated keyboards and cabling.

Monitors
A device used for displaying images from computers or other sources that does not meet the definition of a television. This includes traditional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) and all flat panel display technologies such as LCD and plasma.

Notebook Computers
Includes portable computers such as notebook, laptop, netbook and tablet PCs.

Desktop Printers
This includes printing devices that are designed to reside on a work surface, and includes various printing technologies, including laser & LED (electrophotographic), ink jet, dot matrix, thermal, dye sublimation and “multifunction” devices that may copy, scan, fax, or print. Standalone desktop scanners and fax machines are also included in this category.

Televisions
A video display device with an imbedded television tuner. This includes various display technologies, such as traditional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), flat panel (LCD and plasma) or rear projection.

Personal or Portable Audio/Video Systems
Includes portable devices primarily for personal use including docking speakers; portable stereos/tape players/radios; personal CD players, portable audio recorders/portable tape/radio players; headphones; MP3 players; solid state voice recorders; digital cameras and video cameras/camcorders.

Vehicle Audio/Video Systems (Aftermarket)
Includes car stereo amplifiers, equalizers, speakers and in-dash audio/video components.

Home Theatre in a Box (HTB) Systems
Includes pre-packaged speaker/amplifier systems for use with any manner of video or television display to create a home theatre experience.

Home Audio/Video Systems
Includes VCRs and DVD players; mini/mid/full size package systems; single/multi CD players; clock radios; digital cable equipment; satellite cable equipment; speakers (home speakers; home theatre speakers and multi-media speakers), amplifiers, receivers, data projectors and similar audio/video systems.

Non-Cellular Telephones**
Includes wire telephones; cordless telephones and telephone answering machines.

** Cell phone recycling will be managed separately by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA). For your nearest location visit www.RecycleMyCell.ca or call 1-888-797-1740.

Isn’t it important to re-use before recycling?
Absolutely. The ACES Program is designed to manage unwanted electronic products that have exhausted their reuse potential. If your electronic items are not at the end of their useful life, you are encouraged to donate them to family members, friends or local charities.

Do I have to pay to drop off my unwanted electronics?
No, unwanted electronic products can be dropped off FREE OF CHARGE at any ACES Drop-off Centre.

Will I get money back when I return my used electronics?
There will be no refund paid to you when you return electronics for recycling as this is not a deposit program. Under the ACES Program, you can return your electronics at no charge and be assured they will be recycled responsibly.

Where can I return my used electronics?
You can bring them to an ACES Drop-off Centre. To find the collection site nearest you, click here or call the ACES toll free helpline at 1-877-774-3260.

What if I have a large volume of unwanted electronics?
All ACES Drop-off Centres accept large volumes of unwanted televisions, computers, printers, and monitors. To return a large quantity of electronics (25 or more units), an appointment must be made with the ACES Drop-off Centre. When booking the appointment, the ACES Drop-off Centre staff will need to know the number of pieces being returned.

Why is this program important?
The ACES program ensures that electronics are managed and recycled in a safe and environmentally sound manner. This program prohibits the use of prison labour and the export of scrap electronics and hazardous materials to developing nations.

Who is managing the program?
Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship (ACES), an industry-led not-for-profit association, is responsible for the program in Nova Scotia. ACES contracted the Resource Recovery Fund Board Inc. (RRFB Nova Scotia) to administer the program.

Why should I recycle my used electronics?
As of February 1, 2008, certain electronic products regulated under Nova Scotia legislation are banned from disposal in Nova Scotia’s landfills. This material must be recycled under the ACES Program. Materials found in electronic items such as steel, glass, copper, aluminum, plastic and precious metals can be extracted and recycled into new products. The ACES Program makes sure that these materials are recycled responsibly.

What is the Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship (ACES) Program?
The Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship (ACES) Program is an industry-led electronics recycling program approved by the Province of Nova Scotia and available to all consumers and businesses in the province.

Where will my electronics go?
The electronics will be transported to a consolidation centre where they will be sorted for processing. From there, all material will be transferred to approved processing and recycling facilities. Recyclers will be required to meet Electronics Product Stewardship Canada’s (EPSC) Electronics Recycling Standard (www.epsc.ca/recycle), which outlines the requirements for environmentally sound recycling in accordance with appropriate health, safety and export provisions.

How are electronics recycled?
Recycling of electronics involves processing to recover raw materials such as metals, glass and plastics.

Electronics are usually separated into the following categories:

  • Non-Hazardous Materials
    Ferrous and non-ferrous materials, including steel, aluminum, copper, wires and cables, other metals (brass, bronze, metal fines), plastics, wood and glass (non-leaded).
  • Electronic Scrap
    Cables and wires, printed circuit boards (high, medium and low grade), components, including hard drives, chips and other electronic components.
  • Hazardous Material
    Traditional Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT), leaded plasma display glass and other leaded glass, rechargeable batteries, non-rechargeable batteries, including alkaline, lead acid, and coin cell batteries on circuit boards, mercury bearing lamps and switches, components containing polychlorinated biphenyls, ink and toner cartridges.

Can I get used computer parts from ACES?
ACES does not permit the reuse of electronics equipment or parts once they have been dropped off by the customer to ensure that end-of-life electronics are recycled in a responsible manner. All electronics accepted at ACES Drop-Off Centres are destined for recycling within our approved and audited downstream processing network.

If I return my unwanted computer, how do I know my personal information won’t be seen or stolen?
Once an electronic item is dropped off at an ACES Drop-off Centre, it will be sent to an approved recycler for processing. However, for your own personal security, you should take steps to make sure that private data is removed from your computer. When your unwanted electronic product is recycled, every effort is made to ensure the privacy and security of any personal information; however, the ACES program does not accept liability for data or any other digital content left on the computer.

How does ACES ensure that electronics are recycled responsibly?
ACES follows the Recycling Vendor Qualification Program (RVQP) established by Electronics Product Stewardship Canada (EPSC). This program requires that all recyclers who process end-of-life products for ACES conform to EPSC's strict Electronics Recycling Standard (ERS).  The ERS provides assurance that the work can only be completed in jurisdictions which have environmental and health protection laws similar to those found in Canada.

Example: Hazardous material may not be exported to non-OECD or non-EU member countries, or processed with the use of prison labour.

To learn more visit: www.acestewardship.ca/consumers/responsiblerecycling

How are fees applied to products that are bundled as a package by the retailer or as a combination product?
For a combination product purchase, the higher EHF applies, e.g. 19" TV ($11.50) with DVD player ($3.50) built-in = $11.50 EHF.

For a multi-unit product purchase, one EHF applies, e.g. boxed telephone system with multiple handset and base units = $0.85 EHF.