In a surprise move, the Provincial Governments for three Canadian provinces will be charging consumers of Apple products an e-Waste fee effective November 8, 2009. This puts them on par with other provinces who are already charging a similar fee.

e-Waste Fee

The new e-Waste fee is a small fee automatically attached to an electronic product such as an iMac (computer), printer, display, or MacBook (laptop). However, this fee does not apply only to Apple but in the interest of our blog, we are going to focus on Apple since they were not charging these fees before.

The e-Waste fee is attached to specific electronics from all retailers and that now includes Apple. It is a non-refundable, Government enabled fee and may be viewed more as an additional tax on the electronics that you purchase. The reason for the charge is to help recycle old electronics with nasty chemicals and manufacturing materials inside.

What’s interesting in Apple’s case is that Apple has made leaps in reducing their carbon footprint by reducing chemicals in their products and making them highly recyclable, yet the fee will still be charged. Of course, the Provincial Government cannot discriminate between firms, so everyone pays equally.

At this time, the three affected provinces are British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

Summary of Fees

British Columbia

• Display 29″ and smaller (iMac): $9.00
• Display 30″ and larger: $31.75
• Desktop Computers (Tower PC, Mac Mini, Mac Pro): $5.50
• Portable Computers (MacBook): $1.20
• Printer: $6.50

Alberta

• CPU with built-in monitor (iMac): $22.00
• Standalone Computer Display: $12.00
• Desktop Computer (Tower PC, Mac Mini, Mac Pro): $10.00
• Portable Computer (MacBook): $5.00
• Printer: $8.00

Ontario

• CPU with built-in monitor (iMac): $14.08
• Standalone Computer Display: $12.03
• Desktop Computer (Tower PC, Mac Pro): $13.44
• Portable Computer (MacBook): $2.14
• Printer: $5.05

More information for each province at the province specific links below:

Alberta

British Columbia

Ontario