Statistics Canada stats show an upward trend in recycling and composting in Canada, but the amount varies greatly between cities. Higher diversion rates are seen in municipalities with better services and ease for residents to do so.

September 15, 2007 will mark the first day of an electronics recycling program in the US, Waste Management Inc. and Sony announced. Customers can take their Sony products to 75 Waste Management recycling centers for free.

Both retailers and households need to pitch in to reduce waste. The green bin option proves to play a big role in waste diversion. Residents in Markham divert 70% of their waste, while residents in Toronto (where green bins aren’t readily available) only divert 42%.

A proposed Washington state plan would require electronics manufacturers to obtain approval for their collection and disposal plans. However, Seattle-based Basel Action Network urges the state for stronger actions as the plan is “fuzzy.”

“Garbage, sewer and drainage rates could all be going up next year in Seattle.”

The money will be used to pay for new programs including city park recycling programs, transfer station rebuilds and stormwater cleanup campaigns.

Computers, televisions and cell phones brought to facilities to be recycled in the United States usually end up overseas, activists say. This e-waste then gets disassembled by workers in China, Inida and Nigeria, exposing them to a toxic mix of chemicals.

“Duke the Dog and the three Toronto Marlies players visited Second Street Junior Middle School to support ‘Going Green’ in partnership with EcoMedia Direct – the largest public space recycling program in the world. Students got a lesson about the importance of preserving the environment and learned ways in which they can reduce reuse and recycle in their own homes and classrooms.”

By the year 2040 Austin, Texas is hoping to join cities like Seattle and San Francisco in achieving zero waste by utilizing recycling and incentive programs.

The electronics industry in Ontario has revealed a new plan to make it easier for residents to get rid of their televisions and computers with a clean conscience. The plan aims to triple the amount of electronics diverted from landfills by recycling and reusing.