DSNY Expands Curbside E-waste Collection

The City of New York Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced the expansion of curbside electronics collection to the Bronx and eastern Queens. Residents can make an appointment for curbside collection of unwanted electronics items covered under the New York State (NYS) electronics disposal ban.

This announcement continues the expansion of the department’s curbside electronics collection program, which is now available in all neighborhoods in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island and is just one of many options available to city residents.

The latest communities to be added to the expansion include all community boards in the Bronx and Queens Community Boards 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. The curbside electronics collection program is available to residents of one- to nine-unit buildings within the designated boroughs. Residents living in buildings with 10 or more units can enroll in ecycleNYC, a free, in-building e-waste collection program for large buildings.

“We are excited to be able to continue to expand our curbside collection of certain e-waste and make it available to all communities in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island,” said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia in a statement. “Electronics often contain harmful materials, including lead, mercury and cadmium. We want to keep these toxins from polluting the air, soil and water. Our curbside collection program, along with our ecycleNYC initiative, drop-off locations and special events, give residents across the city a number of options when looking to dispose of their e-waste.”

To request an appointment, residents can call 311 or go to nyc.gov/electronics. Pickups will take place Monday through Friday, except city holidays. Items must be placed at the curb; DSNY workers cannot enter private property. After collection by DSNY, Veolia Environmental Services and Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) remove the e-waste for proper and safe recycling.

Not all items with a plug are considered covered e-waste. Covered items include:

Other mostly plastic and metal items such as fans, toasters or vacuums are able to be placed with regular recycling.

Before making an appointment for curbside collection, residents should consider selling or giving away unwanted, but working, electronic items. For information on donation options, visit nyc.gov/donate.

Residents with electronic items may also visit DSNY's Special Waste Drop-Off locations or attend one of its SAFE Disposal Events. Both accept e-waste covered by the NYS law. More information is available at nyc.gov/electronics.

“Today’s announcement of the expanded curbside electronics collection program confirms the Department of Sanitation’s commitment to environmental sustainability,” said City Council Member Antonio Reynoso in a statement. “Now, thanks to the expansion, all Bronx residents and an increased number of Queens residents will be able to take advantage of the city’s curbside collection of electronics. The expansion of this program will offer residents a more convenient way to ensure that harmful materials stay out of our general trash refuse and recycling streams all while helping to meet our city’s Zero Waste goals.”

“We are honored to continue to be part of this constructive collaboration and this historic and successful partnership with the great city of New York,” said John Shegerian, co-founder and executive chairman of ERI, in a statement. “The curbside pickup program is yet another advancement and added convenience to a residential program that already regularly provides responsible, effective recycling for millions of New Yorkers’ electronic waste. It’s rewarding to be able to help so many in our city do the right thing and collect and responsibly recycle their e-waste and keep toxic electronics out of New York landfills.”