With one of the lowest recycling rates in the state, the city of New York has launched a new electronics recycling programme to provide participating buildings with free collection and recycling of unwanted electronic equipment.
The ‘e-cycleNYC’ initiative launched with partners Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) will be available to buildings with more than 10 units, or flats, with a variety of extra services offered including storage bins, room clean-outs, and building events.
“Recycling electronic equipment keeps harmful materials out of New York City’s waste stream and the environment,” said John Doherty, Sanitation Commissioner, New York City. “While safe to use, electronics often contain lead, mercury, and other hazardous materials and in fact make up the largest and fastest growing component of the hazardous materials entering our waste stream.”
The goal of ‘e-cycleNYC’ is to make electronics recycling as easy as possible for city residents, many of whom live in apartment buildings and do not own cars to transport TVs and other large electronics to drop-off events or retail take-back programmes. It will also not add anything extra to the city budget as funding comes from various electronics manufacturers.
Source: Cities Today
By Jonathan Andrews