Summary
This bill, the “Electronic Equipment Recycling Act of 2007” would amend the Environmental Conservation Law and the state Finance Law to establish an electronic equipment recycling account within the Environmental Protection Fund. In addition to banning disposal it would require manufacturers of cathode ray tubes (CRT) and covered electronic devices such as desktop computers, laptop computers and televisions to be financially responsible for the collection, transport, and recycling of their products. Further, retailers would be required to clearly post information about how to recycle the covered electronic devices sold in their stores.

Explanation
New York's waste stream is being overwhelmed by junked electronic equipment, creating a situation that is wasteful and a hazard to New York’s environment and a significant threat to the health of its citizens. Consumers are too often oblivious of the fact that electronic waste (e-waste) contains over 1,000 materials, many of which are highly toxic, such as chlorinated and brominated substances, toxic gases and metals, biologically active materials, acids, plastics and plastic additives.  Among the worst hazards is lead, which can cause damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, blood system and kidneys and affect the endocrine system. Cadmium is also a hazard; its compounds demonstrate acute and chronic toxicity. Hexavalent chromium can easily pass through membranes of cells causing strong allergic reactions and DNA damage.

Any truly effective and fair method for dealing with e-waste must represent a partnership of producers, retailers, consumers, and taxpayers. This bill represents an effort by the Council of State Governments (CSG) Eastern Region and the Northeast Recycling Council to work with stakeholder groups to find acceptable solutions to the problem of e-waste, and moves toward defining the roles and responsibilities of these stakeholder groups. The most obvious part of the problem – the disposal of e-waste – is addressed by a ban on their disposal in the state’s landfills and incinerators. Making electronics manufacturers financially responsible for the take-back of the products they produce would not only remove much of the material from the waste stream, it would also bring much needed money to the Environmental Protection Fund through the creation of an Electronic Equipment Recycling Account.

Environmental Advocates of New York strongly supports this bill.