E-waste law takes effect today requiring manufacturer to recycle used electronics
A broad new state law requiring manufacturers of computers, TVs and other electronic devices sold in New York to recycle those products goes into effect today.
Apple, Compaq and hundreds of other companies now are required to set up and publicize their own recycling programs to take back used or unwanted devices at no cost to their owners.
“This is a very strong law. We’re very excited about it,” said Laura Haight, senior environmental associate with the New York Public Interest Research Group.
New York’s consumers still will be able to throw out their old VCRs, laptops and printers because a provision in the bill banning this e-waste doesn’t go into effect until 2015.
But environmental advocates say the law will ensure more of those devices— which often contain lead and other harmful metals — are recycled instead of staying in the waste stream.
“All of that is intended to result in the creation of programs that are convenient for consumers, so that they’ll choose to use them rather than throwing electronics away,” said Kate Sinding, Natural Resources Defense Council senior attorney.
The nation produced 3.2 million tons of electronic waste in 2009, according to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Only 18 percent of this e-waste was recycled that year, with the rest incinerated or left in landfills. That’s a problem because the lead, cadmium and other toxic materials in these devices can get into the air, soil or groundwater, experts said.
“We’re throwing this stuff in the trash,” said Barbara Kyle, national coordinator for the Electronics TakeBack Coalition.
Twenty-four states now have a law mandating electronic waste recycling, the coalition reports.
New York’s e-waste law, passed last year, covers a wide range of electronic products, everything from computer mice to old cathode ray tube TVs.
Previously, New Yorkers who wanted to recycle these devices had limited options.
Some local governments hosted e-waste recycling days, a few waste collectors would take in the devices and some retailers and manufacturers would take back electronic equipment.
But the new state law formally assigns “cradle-to-grave” responsibility to the company that made the gadget, and it should make recycling far more convenient for the public.
“It’s viewed widely as being one of the most progressive electronics recycling laws in the country,” Sinding said.
Source: BuffaloNews.com
By Stephen T. Watson