City council overrides Mayor’s efforts to trash New York e-waste bill

The Big Apple may soon put the burden on electronics manufacturers when it comes to the recovery of e-waste (electronics waste).

The New York City Council  overrode Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s (photo) spring veto of a bill that requires electronics manufacturers to take back a minimum of 25% of what they sell by July 1, 2012. That percentage will rise to 65% in 2018.

Introductory Bill No. 729 would amend New York’s Electronic Equipment Collection Recycling and Reuse Act and, in Bloomberg’s view, disproportionately burdens electronics manufacturers instead of wholesalers that sell directly to the public.

AEA (formerly the American Electronics Association), one of the nation’s largest high-tech trade groups, opposes collection standards at any level and supports Bloomberg’s veto.

“AEA does not support the use of performance measurements, particularly those that enforce strict penalties regardless of manufacturer compliance and success with the particular recycling program,” says Justin Wright, AEA’s Northeastern policy director. “Additionally, manufacturers cannot compel or require private citizens to turn in their property at all, let alone according to some statutory schedule.”

The Council overrode Bloomberg’s veto, but he is not expected to implement the standards. To comment on the bill, click here.