Hidden vs. visible fees 

Proponents of hidden EHFs (Environmental Handling Fees) in posted product prices oppose fee separation on a number of grounds. They argue that EHF visibility sends inadequate signals or pressure to industry to internalize product end-of-life costs. The argument goes further that, because those costs cascade to the consumer at the point of purchase, EHF visibility fosters less motivation in industry to improve the environmental performance of their products.

The advocates of hidden fee pricing claim that concealed fees would decrease the amount of eco waste in the environment. But no credible evidence has been mounted that concealed fees would result in reducing the amount of waste by producers. Manufacturers of electronic products, almost all of which have their engineering and development facilities outside of Canada, are unlikely to design their products to respond to EHF pricing strategies."

Meta-Actor: Not-for-Profit

Source Document: http://www.recyclemyelectronics.ca/ns/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Electronic_Waste_Management_NB-071711.pdf

Date: June 15, 2011