Business PickupJurisdictions around the world are increasingly putting the responsibility of recycling on Producers. In Canada, Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) are entities that exist to support Producers in their fulfillment of compliance obligations. Most provinces operate under non-competitive, single PRO models. In 2021, a new, competitive PRO model was introduced in Ontario, facilitating a free market and opening up new options for Producers.
While many Ontario-based Producers continued working with their incumbent PRO, the ability to explore other options has been a welcome change for many others. As both a PRO that contracts directly with Producers to satisfy their obligations and a partner for PROs contracted with other Producers to support the deployment of services, Quantum offers flexible solutions for Canadian organizations looking to satisfy their recycling obligations.
For one major global electronics brand, enlisting Quantum as both a PRO and a processor delivered several benefits. Here’s a closer look into how Quantum delivers value in the realm of PROs and Producer synergies.
Determining How to Satisfy PRO Obligations
Prior to 2021, the major electronics company had been sending their equipment to Quantum for recycling for more than a decade. Because it was a legal obligation in Ontario, they were also working with a PRO separately to satisfy their recycling obligations. When Ontario’s law shifted and allowed companies to start working with different PROs outside of the province’s single incumbent, they turned to Quantum to see if there was a fit. Could we ALSO help them meet their compliance obligations?
A Two-Pronged Approach: Meeting Recycling Obligations & Processing E-Waste
In pursuit of delivering the greatest possible value to our customers, Quantum decided to become a PRO in 2021 at the request of several of our Producer customers. In the instance of the brand in question, Quantum is now their PRO of record, in addition to being their recycler. In order to satisfy the obligations of being a PRO, Quantum has developed an in-depth understanding of the applicable provincial regulations.
For example, Producers have an obligation to recycle a certain weight of electronics, as set annually by the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) in Ontario. The target is derived from historical sales, and the more business an organization does, the greater their recycling obligation.
Traditionally, under the mandatory single-PRO model, the electronics brand would work with the PRO to satisfy their recycling obligation by having them collect the required number of tonnes of e-waste from the market. Separately, they would send whatever e-waste they had for recycling to Quantum to be processed. Working with the incumbent PRO didn’t allow for any collaboration with Quantum to use the e-waste generated by the company itself to satisfy their recycling obligation. In other words, the company was doubling up their efforts and over-recycling simply because they couldn’t work outside the single PRO model.
Choosing Quantum as an All-in-One Solution
When Quantum became a PRO in 2021, it was an easy choice for the electronics company to begin working with them as both their processor and their PRO. Not only would Quantum continue managing their e-waste, but we’d also begin satisfying their RPRA recycling requirements — with the e-waste they send. As an all-in-one solution, we’ve made both compliance and e-waste recycling simple and efficient.
The Benefits of an All-in-One Solution
For Ontario-based businesses like the electronics company, turning to Quantum as both a PRO and a processor saves time and hassle by eliminating the need to find two separate entities for RPRA compliance and e-waste recycling. It also prevents the risk of non-compliance, which could include penalties, prosecution, and reputational damage. A final but important way Quantum delivers value is by saving companies money. For example, the electronics brand would no longer have to collect extra e-waste to satisfy their recycling obligation, and could instead use their own e-waste to meet their target, reducing the labor and costs associated with compliance.
Creating Value for All Producers
While it made sense to leverage Quantum’s multifaceted services to meet their needs, not all companies share the same circumstances as the global electronics brand described herein. Whether you’re located in Ontario or elsewhere in Canada, you can still turn to Quantum even if you aren’t looking for an all-in-one solution, but instead need a single service to round out your electronics recycling needs.
Not only is Quantum a PRO that understands local requirements, market dynamics, etc., but we’re also a partner that can help other PROs satisfy compliance for the world’s biggest brands by offering processed tonnes of recycled e-waste for purchase. Add our robust ITAD offering into the mix and suddenly Quantum’s value proposition becomes obvious. Ultimately, the ways in which we can add value for PROs and Producers alike will depend on the scope of the regulation and any other specific criteria that must be met. Whether it’s developing a solution for an entire obligation or simply recycling material collected by a third-party, we’re ready to support you by tailoring our flexible services to meet your needs.