New York Assembly Approves E-waste Legislation

Mandatory New York e-waste recycling legislation appears set for final approval after the New York State Assembly approved a bill this morning containing the proposal along with new funding for the state’s parks.

According to Governor David A. Paterson's office, the e-waste bill would create a statewide electronic equipment reuse and recycling program. Among other provisions, the legislation requires each manufacturer to accept for recycling or reuse its market share of the electronic waste it manufactures and establishes surcharges for failure to meet those standards. In addition, the legislation provides each manufacturer the ability to bank, trade or sell credits for the amount of electronic waste it collects in excess of its annual obligation. Paterson's office says it "incentivizes manufacturers to apply rapid technological advances and knowhow to the reuse of recycled electronic equipment and components."

The bill also requires that recycling remain “free and convenient” for New York consumers and places a disposal ban on electronics, to be fully phased-in by 2015.

"Recycling e-waste is great for the environment, presents tremendous economic opportunities for businesses growth and benefits the consumer," said Paterson in a press release. "We must set high standards for how e-waste is disposed. My Program Bill, which the Legislature has agreed to pass, will take a significant step toward protecting our environment by properly regulating the disposal of hazardous materials, and is both pro-consumer and pro-business."