The New York state electronic recycling law

WASHINGTON — On Jan. 1, the latest in a series of electronic waste laws in New York state became effective, requiring residents to properly recycle electronics covered by the Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act. While the New York state law puts sole responsibility on manufacturers to handle the collection and recycling of e-waste, the town of Washington Transfer Station is in the process of becoming a registered e-waste collection site. Until registered, however, the Transfer Station cannot accept, or even store, any electronic equipment.There are no fees for registering or for the pick up of the e-waste collected at the Transfer Station. In fact, Jim Brownell, Transfer Station attendant, expects the town to be paid by the hauler he has contacted, for the material collected. Fees already in place at the Transfer Station, for leaving a computer, $5, and a television, $10, are not expected to increase either. The purchase of a small container is required.“We are registering to become an Electronic Equipment Recycling Collection site for the convenience of our residents and also because if we don’t — it will end up on the side of the road.” Brownell said. In fact, that is exactly what happened recently, when an old television was dumped at the foot of Milewood Road, he added.Under the new law, residents are required to recycle electronic waste by dropping it off at a registered e-waste collection site or by returning it to an e-waste manufacturer, or risk being fined $100 each time they fail to do so.The Transfer Station expects to be registered as a collection site and have attendants trained in accepting, bagging and wrapping e-waste by the end of February. Until such time, they have a list of other Electronic Waste Collection Sites in Dutchess County, including some Staples stores and other towns, but advise calling ahead, as some sites may not accept particular types of equipment. Alternatively, hold on to electronics like computers and TVs until the end of February, when they can be brought to the Transfer Station. The proper disposal and reuse of e-waste has become more and more critical. According to the EPA, nationwide, our electronic waste is growing two to three times faster than any other waste stream. As technological advances continue to improve electronics and lower prices, electronic equipment is more readily discarded and replaces computers and other items more readily. Coupled with the fact that electronic equipment often contains lead, mercury and cadmium, the growing amount of e-waste poses increasing health and environmental threats. Without a federal mandate on e-waste, it’s up to individual states to take the lead. New York and 24 other states now have electronics recycling laws, and New York has the distinction of having the most comprehensive e-waste recycling law in the nation, according to the Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse or ERCC. Information, including a full list of the electronic equipment covered by the recycling law, can be found online at https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/66872.html.