Supply Chain Reaction

It looks like New York City will be going ahead with an e-waste law, putting additional emphasis on the end-of-life stage of the electronics supply chain, whether the mayor and some industry groups want it or not.

The New York City Council voted last week to override Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s veto of Introductory Number 729, which would have amended the “Electronic Equipment Collection Recycling and Reuse Act” to impose minimum collection standards on manufacturers of covered electronic equipment.

AeA, one of the nation’s largest high-tech trade association, is openly opposing collection standards at any level and fully supports Mayor Bloomberg’s decision to veto this ordinance.  

“AeA would like to express its disappointment regarding the decision of the New York City Council to override Mayor Bloomberg’s veto of Intro 729,” said Justin Wright AeA’s Northeastern policy director, in a statement last week. “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. Additionally, manufacturers cannot compel or require private citizens to turn in their property at all, let alone according to some statutory schedule.”

Specifically, Intro 729 would require manufacturers to collect covered electronic equipment in an amount that is equal to a percentage of the weight of covered electronic equipment sold by the manufacturer in the city during the pervious three calendar years.  

“AeA and its member companies support the proper management and disposal of all electronic equipment, however, we believe that New York City’s Intro 729 simply places over-burdensome requirements onto manufacturers,” Wright said.  

Do you agree? Share your thoughts on Intro 729 and the AeA’s stance below. And for more information of AeA’s stage government affairs issues in New York, see www.aeanet.org/newyork.