Environmental Handling Fee - WTF?

[zero_2003]

I was about to buy a monitor from Bestbuy today and saw this at the checkout process. The monitor was around $200 and I was charged $15 dollar for Environmental Handling fee.

Since when did this practice come to be? I was never charged this fee when I buy any electronics/computers/tv from Futureshop or Bestbuy.

Anyone else got charged with environmental handling fee lately?

More information on EHF from Bestbuy:
[QUOTE]Why am I charged an environmental handling fee?

Environmental Handling Fees
Your BestBuy.ca purchase may include an environmental handling fee as required by your Provincial Government. Used to support provincial recycling and disposal programs, environmental handling fees are collected on products such as metal, glasses, and plastics that can be recycled into other products. Handling Fees are also collected on products that may contain substances that are hazardous to the environment.

We charge environmental handling fees on items that are shipped to, delivered to or picked up in provinces or territories where we are required to do so. The handling fee amount reflects the applicable rate. You'll see the handling fee amount during the checkout process.

Returns
If you return an item for which you were charged an environment handling fee, the amount of the handling fee will be refunded. Please refer to your packing slip or our return policy for more details on returning items.

Need more information?
Visit your Provincial Government websites for more information on the specific environmental programs they provide. [/QUOTE]

[user01]

Costco and Wal-Mart have it too. It goes for electronic accessories as well. :o

[cheapmeister]

When I buy motor oil at crappy tire they charge me a "eco fee." Its stupid cause they won't even take my used oil for recycling anymore.

[zero_2003]

I buy electronics from FS and BB all the time and never got charge by this fee before.

That's why I am so surprised.

[Bskll]

not another one of these enviro fee bitching threads.

You're about 3 months late to the party.

[Peckerwood]

Did anyone here actually think that all of the environmental picketing over the last 20 years wouldn't turn into a means of taxation?

BS activism + government action = excess taxation and more gov't waste(gov't jobs)

[go leafs]

It came into effect April 1, 2009 in Ontario... [URL="http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTA3MDY2&statusId=MTYwNzM1&language=en"]Phase 2[/URL] is coming soon, more products will be included (telephones, copiers and audio visual equipment)

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

[QUOTE=Bskll;9107360]not another one of these enviro fee bitching threads.

You're about 3 months late to the party.[/QUOTE]

+1, nothing new here. just nothin but promises of life, death & taxes.

[any007]

it's mr mcguinty's invention. he copied BC.
I think it started at the beginning of this year.

[Hairball]

I noticed this fee when I got a netbook recently.

I'm surprised that it hardly got any media attention, as after all it's a new tax. I just found out on RFD a month or two ago.

If this is actually used for environmental initiatives, it would be alright, but I'm skeptical.

[twotterdhc6]

The spirit of this environmental levy is to fund more local recycling collection facilities, so it will be easier for people to bring in their old electronics. I'll believe it only when I actually see a new facility in my neighbourhood though.

Speaking of which, recycling facilities in Peel Region are terrible. There is one in Caledon, one in Brampton, and only two in Mississauga (where one is in the north west corner of the city, and the other to the east; none close to the centre of the city)

[Jon Lai]

[QUOTE=twotterdhc6;9107801]The spirit of this environmental levy is to fund more local recycling collection facilities, so it will be easier for people to bring in their old electronics. I'll believe it only when I actually see a new facility in my neighbourhood though.

Speaking of which, recycling facilities in Peel Region are terrible. There is one in Caledon, one in Brampton, and only two in Mississauga (where one is in the north west corner of the city, and the other to the east; none close to the centre of the city)[/QUOTE]

They're supposed to make recycling free, whereas right now you have to pay a "drop off" free equivalent to the levy. I've visited the dump once since April 1st and indeed, I didn't have to pay anything to drop off my own electronics. So I'm not skeptical about this at all. I think it's probably one of the few things McGuinty did properly.

OP - get with the program. Don't read news much?

OT - The explanation on BB's website quoted by OP is actually pretty well explained. I don't know why anyone would have trouble understanding.

[Hairball]

[QUOTE=Jon Lai;9108064]They're supposed to make recycling free, whereas right now you have to pay a "drop off" free equivalent to the levy. I've visited the dump once since April 1st and indeed, I didn't have to pay anything to drop off my own electronics. So I'm not skeptical about this at all. I think it's probably one of the few things McGuinty did properly.

OP - get with the program. Don't read news much?

OT - The explanation on BB's website quoted by OP is actually pretty well explained. I don't know why anyone would have trouble understanding.[/QUOTE]

Do you live in Markham, Jon? As far as I know it was always free to bring your electronics and comptuers to the recycling depot, even before April 1. But of course this can depend on the city.

I hardly noticed this until I read that someone complain in the forum, and I read the newspaper every day. I don't think it got much media coverage.

[rabbit]

[url]http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=739244[/url]

[TCWeasel]

Disposed electronics are dangerous to the environment and should be disposed of properly. If the tax helps fund that, then it's all good.

It's a consumption tax. You're under no obligation to have to pay it, if you don't buy the product.