Environmental fees on auto parts refer to additional charges added to the cost of automobile components due to regulations aimed at reducing the negative impact of the manufacturing and disposal of these products on the environment. These fees help to cover the cost of recycling or properly disposing of hazardous materials used in the production of car parts and to encourage the development of more environmentally-friendly technologies.

Since January 1, 2023, NAPA Auto Parts Canada has been part of the Product Care Recycling organization, whose mission is to develop and manage recycling programs in several Canadian provinces. As a result, you will find that environmental fees are now being added to the sale of certain automobile components and can include charges for items like batteries, tires, and refrigerants.

We understand that these fees add slightly to the cost of purchases you make from our NAPA Auto Parts locations, however, this is a small fee that represents a very small percentage of the final price of the products. Ultimately, we believe that the long-term benefits to our communities far outweigh the inconvenience caused by these additional costs.

More information can be found in the short FAQ below.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: WHY ARE THESE FEES ITEMIZED ON THE INVOICE RATHER THAN INCLUDED IN THE BASE PRICE?

A: In terms of environmental protection, we believe that a transparent approach is preferable to one where these fees are “hidden” in a base price. Moreover, this approach facilitates management of the funds collected for the various environmental protection programs in which we participate since the amounts collected from our clients are readily identifiable on our invoices.

Q: WHY DO WE COLLECT THESE FEES WHEN SOME OF OUR COMPETITORS DO NOT?

A: In general, NAPA Auto Parts Canada’s approach is to strictly adhere to the laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which we conduct business. If any of our competitors decide to take a different approach to save a few dollars on the products concerned, they can be heavily fined.

Q: HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE AMOUNTS THAT NEED TO BE COLLECTED FOR EACH PRODUCT?

A: The fees are based on a number of criteria that take into account the quantity of products sold, their life span, the complexity of their handling and processing at the end of their life.

ONTARIO RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES

The Product Care Recycling program in Ontario is a recycling program for certain household hazardous and special waste materials. It is a stewardship program funded by the manufacturers and importers of these products in Ontario. The program is designed to manage the end-of-life disposal of these products in an environmentally responsible manner. Some of the products included in the program are batteries, paint, electronics, and lighting products. The program is managed by the non-profit organization, Product Care Association.