OTTAWA - Newly released documents say the federal government is considering a $35-million recycling program to keep its stockpile of obsolete and unwanted computers and such out of the country's landfills.
A draft analysis by the Public Works Department says a federal program is needed because electronics recycling is piecemeal across the country.
That means some provinces lack programs for the federal government to safely dispose of its old computers, fax machines and cellular phones.
Electronics products contain toxic elements such as lead, cadmium and mercury, which can cause environmental and health problems if not handled properly.
The federal environment commissioner has said the federal government spends $500 million each year on new computer hardware.
The draft analysis was obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.
