New York E-Waste Law

Printer-friendly versionSend to friend

On May 28, 2010,  Governor Paterson signed A11308, the NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act, into law. This is a comprehensive e-waste bill that establishes free e-waste recycling for consumers, schools, municipalities, small businesses, and small non-profits, starting April 1st, 2011.

NY became the 23rd state to have an electronic recycling program.

This Act also preempt New York City's e-waste law, so the electronics industry's lawsuit against the City's takeback law is expected to be dismissed.

Details
This is a manufacturer-financed program for televisions, computer monitors, computers, computer peripherals, printers, and fax machines. There are strong collection standards set with this law.

Manufacturers must collect, recycle and reuse based on market share of electronic sales in New York, as determined by the Department of Environmental Conservation. Those who collect more waste than required can bank, trade or sell “recycling credits” for the excess waste they collect. Those who do not collect their share will face fines that will go toward state-run recycling programs.

Electronic manufacturers, collectors, recyclers, refurbishers, and retailers must register with the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Disposal Ban
Starting in April 2011, manufacturers will be prohibited from dumping e-waste in landfills. That same rule will go into effect for businesses, retailers, and local governments starting January 1, 2012. Then, starting January 1, 2015, consumers will be prohibited from disposal as well.

Covered Devices: 

  • Computers
  • Televisions (as well as cathode ray tubes)
  • Small Scale Servers
  • Computer Peripherals such as: 
    •  Monitors
    • Keyboards and Mice or Similar Pointing Devices
    • Fax Machines
    • Document Scanners
    •  Printers
  •  Small Electronic Equipment such as: 
    • VCRs
    • Digital Video Recorders
    • Portable Digital Music Players
    • DVD Players
    • Digital Converter Boxes
    • Cable or Satellite Receivers
    • Electronic or Video Game Consoles

View the final bill language(.pdf)
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation