NYC E-Waste Recycling Law Tied Up in Court

Two electronics industry groups are fighting the legality of a New York City law that would require manufacturers to collect and recycle any electronic devices sold in the city, according to The New York Times.

Passed in 2008, the bill was supposed to begin collection from manufacturers in 2009 and impose fines for residents starting this year. It passed by a 47-3 vote, with opposition from Mayor Bloomberg. It became the first city law relating to e-waste disposal.

Industry groups argue that all of the responsibility falls on manufacturers, including collection and processing material from 8 million residents. Photo: Flickr/JohnJMatlock

The law even spawned a competition for designing an e-waste bin, which was designed to allow residents drop-off their electronics in one place and make collection more manageable.

The bill is similar to Oregon’s e-waste recycling law, which took effect last January and required any company selling computers and televisions in the state to either partner with a recycler or start their own recycling program.

Meanwhile in California, consumers handle the financial burden of recycling through an advance recovery fee – a tax on the purchase of computer monitors and televisions that funds recycling. However, many electronics recycling events in California will donate a portion of the fee to a charitable organization.

The Big Apple already has a similar takeback law in action for rechargeable batteries. Call2Recycle (operated by the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation) manages the electronics collection. In 2009, the City recycled 22 tons of batteries.

Oral arguments in the electronics case will begin next week. If the law is preserved, NYC residents will be required to recycle electronics starting July 1.