There's a chance Ontarians might have to deep a little deeper into their pockets to pay for the latest electronic gadgets now that the provincial government has announced plans to add a levy on select goods.

The provincial government announced Thursday it will begin charging a recycling fee on computers, televisions, fax machines and other items beginning in April. The levy is to help the province pay for properly disposing of the electronic waste.

One year later, a charge will be added to cell phones, cameras, DVD players and stereos.

Once the new regulations come into effect, TVs will cost manufacturers about $10 more and a desktop computer will cost about $13 more. However, what remains to be seen is whether manufacturers will absorb the costs or pass it on to the consumer.

Along with the fees, the province announced its plans to increase the number of recycling depots in Ontario to 420 by April. The plan is to have 650 depots where used electronics can be dropped off, in five years time.

"This is another example of industry and government working together toward a common goal of environmental stewardship," said Gemma Zecchini, Ontario's waste diversion chair, in a news release. "Our plan builds on the producer responsibility programs already in place for Blue Box materials and the hazardous or special waste programs."

Ontario is not the first province to adopt this levy. A similar fee has already been implemented in Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Alberta.

Currently, only about 27 per cent of electronic waste is recycled.

About 90,000 tonnes of electronic waste is thrown out each year by businesses and homeowners but the province says that number could reach 123,000 tonnes in five years.

That equals to about four million desktop computers, 1.5 million laptops, 1.2 million computer monitors, 1.5 million printers and 2.2 million TVs.

"Ontarians need options for getting rid of their used electronics," said Environment Minister John Gerretsen. "Far too many computers, printers and televisions, along with their toxic components, end up in landfills and that's got to end."

Lead, cadmium, mercury and other toxic elements often contained in electronic gadgets can have a harmful impact on the environment.

With files from The Canadian Press