New York DEC releases first E-Waste Recycling Report

ALBANY (Scrap Monster): The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released its first E-Waste Recycling Report. The report highlights the success of the Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act, which helped in increased collection of over 318 million pounds of e-waste during 2011 and 2014. The report focuses on the first two years-2011 and 2012 of the implementation of the Act. It analyzes the Act and also provides recommendations for future improvements.

The Act makes electronic equipment manufacturers responsible for providing free and convenient recycling of electronic waste to most consumers in the State. Consumers eligible for free service include individuals, for-profit businesses, corporations with less than 50 full time employees, not-for-profit corporations with less than 75 full time employees, not-for-profit corporations designated under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code, schools, or governmental entities located in NYS.

According to the report, NY state electronics manufacturers collected 44.8 million pounds of covered electronic equipment (CEE) during the period from April 1^st to December 31^st in 2011. Meantime, the CEE collection by manufacturers increased sharply to 77.5 million pounds during calendar year 2012. The data for 2013-2014 will be published soon. Initial data indicates that collections rose to 99.5 million pounds in 2013, but dropped slightly to 96.7 million pounds in 2014.

DEC plans to pay more attention in addressing the challenges in collection of Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) televisions and monitors. It will continue talks with stakeholders to formulate solutions and improvements to CRT collection programs.

Effective 2015, all New Yorkers are required to recycle electronic waste and are not allowed to throw them in garbage.