Time for Spring Cleaning, GTA: Samsung Canada, RBC and Green Living Show announce E-Waste Collection Drive and School Challenge
FREE Green Living Show tickets for anyone who recycles e-waste at any of six participating RBC branches or at the show itself; $20,000 in Samsung Hope for Children Smart School grants to be awarded in Passion for E-Recycling School Challenge
March 22, 2013 /3BL Media/ - When you think about spring cleaning, do you remember to recycle your electronic waste? This spring, the Green Living Show, proud sponsor Samsung Canada, and RBC challenge GTA residents to round up old and unwanted electronic waste (e-waste) gathering dust and bring them in for recycling. For each piece of e-waste recycled at the Green Living Show, or at four participating RBC branches, participants will receive a free ticket ($16 value) to the Green Living Show (April 12-14). The Passion for E-Recycling School Challenge offers up $20,000 in Samsung Hope for Children Smart School grants to GTA schools that collect the most e-waste.
Electronic waste (e-waste) is defined as all types of unwanted electronics and electronic equipment and can present special challenges when it comes to end-of-life disposal. E-waste contains a unique combination of hazardous materials as well as valuable materials which can be repurposed.
“Education is core to Samsung's business, whether through our Smart School Solution or Hope for Children foundation initiatives," said James Politeski, President of Samsung Electronics Canada. “We believe the best way to teach our kids is to bring lessons to life. Together with likeminded partners like Green Living Enterprises and RBC, we know our e-waste recycling community collections and school challenge will have a positive impact by educating future generations and reducing our environmental impact.”
A recent Samsung Canada survey revealed that many Canadians may not know what to do with their old electronics or e-waste; 1 in 3 respondents (35%) say their old electronics are just gathering dust stored in their homes, while 1 in 10 admit to throwing their e-waste into the garbage.
In addition to onsite at the Green Living Show (April 12-14, Direct Energy Centre), the following RBC branches will host e-waste collection drives on March 30, and April 3-6:
- RBC Aurora - Aurora Heights Plaza (15408 Yonge St, Aurora)
- RBC Pickering- Hwy 2 & Liverpool (1340 Kingston Rd, Pickering)
- RBC Markham- Steeles & Silver Star (4751 Steeles Ave. E, Toronto)
- RBC Woodbridge– Hwy 7 & Marycroft (211 Marycroft Avenue, Woodbridge)
“Like Samsung and Green Living Enterprises, RBC is committed to reducing our environmental footprint, including the responsible disposal of our e-waste,” said Sandra Odendahl, Director of Corporate Sustainability at RBC. “We hope that this initiative encourages GTA residents to do the same, and visit participating RBC branches to easily recycle their e-waste.”
All e-waste collection drives will be managed by GEEP, a leader in the electronic recycling industry. For a complete list of e-waste items that will be accepted at collection sites, please visit www.ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca/program/accepted-electronics
Passion for E-recycling School Challenge
Green Living Enterprises and Samsung Hope for Children have created a unique way to teach elementary school students about e-waste recycling. Through the Passion for E-recycling School Challenge, running from April 1 – May 15, 2013, elementary schools within select Ontario school boards can register to host e-waste drives at their schools. The three schools that collect the most e-waste by weight will share in $20,000 in Samsung Hope for Children Smart School grants. The Samsung Hope for Children program was launched globally to bring attention to the worldwide need for childhood education, health, and environmental sustainability.
Schools may register now for the challenge by visiting www.passionforerecycling.ca for more details. In addition, fun and educational e-waste recycling teaching modules for grades 3-5 level students can be found online as well.
Samsung at the 2013 Green Living Show
At the show, visitors to the Samsung booth check out a full-scale “recycling crusher” and also see e-waste recycling demonstrations from Samsung’s electronics recycling partner GEEP. Samsung’s Smart School Solution will also be on display for the first time in Ontario, showcasing short e-waste tutorials. The Samsung Smart School Solution is a complete digital education package consisting of Samsung devices and software that lets teachers make lessons more dynamic and interactive.
About Samsung Electronics Canada
Samsung Electronics Canada offers a broad range of award-winning consumer electronics including televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. The Canadian arm, selected as one of Canada’s Top 10 Marketers of the Year in 2012 by Marketing Magazine, upholds Samsung's global mission to open new possibilities for people everywhere, providing users premium experiences that are unparalleled due to Samsung's innovative technology and stylish design. As a result, Samsung has become a true leader in the consumer electronics industry both in terms of business leadership and brand strength. In 2012, Samsung was ranked #9 in the Interbrand "100 Best Global Brands" breaking the top ten for the first time, and was named as one of Fast Company's "50 Most Innovative Companies of 2011".
To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com
Follow Samsung Canada at facebook.com/SamsungCanada or on Twitter @SamsungCanada.
About RBC Community and Sustainability
RBC has long been committed to environmental sustainability. The RBC Environmental Blueprint formalizes RBC's longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability, outlining our policy, priorities and objectives which include reducing the intensity of our environmental footprint, promoting responsible lending, and offering environmentally responsible products and services. Recognized among the world's financial, social and environmental leaders, RBC is listed on the 2012-2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and the DJSI North American Index. RBC has been named one of Canada's 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations and one of the Best Workplaces in Canada. RBC is also included on the 2012 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list, the Jantzi Social Index and the FTSE4Good Index.
For the latest information on RBC's sustainability programs, projects and achievements, research, visit RBC and the Environment. Or subscribe to the free, bi-monthly e-newsletter, green@RBC.
About Green Living Enterprises / Green Living Show
Green Living Enterprises is Canada’s leading cause-marketing agency focused on social and environmental program development. Our team is led by award-winning industry experts in the fields of brand and program development; custom content; advertising, marketing and PR; and event management. Green Living Enterprises also includes Greenlivingonline.com and The Green Living Show, Canada’s largest green consumer show, dedicated to easy and workable solutions for leading a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. For more information, visit greenlivingshow.ca
For more information, or to request interviews, please contact:
North Strategic for Samsung Electronics Canada:
Paul Cartwright
paul.cartwright@northstrategic.com
(647) 969-7285
Green Living Enterprises:
Annette Borger
(416) 988-7086
RBC:
André Roberts
Corporate Communications
(416) 974-3678
