New York’s e-CycleNYC initiative earns top recognition

ALBANY (Scrap Monster): e-CycleNYC, the free electronics waste recycling services program run by the NYC Department of Sanitation and ERI, has been selected as a Bright Idea under the Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation program. The Bright Ideas recognition initiative highlights and promotes creative government initiatives and partnerships so that government leaders, public servants, and other individuals can learn about noteworthy ideas and can adopt those initiatives that can work in their own communities. Incidentally, the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, has recognized more than 60 innovative government programs as part of the 2017 Bright Ideas initiative.

According to John Shegerian, chairman and CEO of ERI, the partnership with the great city of New York in association with leading electronics manufacturers including Samsung and LG has been highly successful in providing responsible and effective recycling for millions of New Yorkers. Further, it has helped to keep toxic electronics out of New York landfills, Shegerian noted. The new paradigm achieved in New York City will serve as an inspiration other US cities and cities around the world, he hoped.

The press release issued by Ash Center urged government leaders, public servants and other individuals to learn about these efforts and adopt similar initiatives that suit their communities. By winning the award, e-CycleNYC has opened up the doors of dissemination, discussion and replication of its successful and effective electronic waste recycling practices. It must be noted that it is illegal for New York residents to dispose of their used and unwanted electronic devices in the trash.

e-cycleNYC offers different service options. It provides room cleanouts for buildings with 10 or more units, storage bins for buildings with 100 or more units and outdoor electronics recycling events for buildings with 250 or more units. The program accepts wide range of devices and equipment including TVs, VCRs, DVRs, and DVD players, Cable and satellite boxes, Video game consoles, computers-including small servers, monitors, laptops and their peripherals, printers, scanners, fax machines and small electronics including tablets, mobile phones, MP3 players. The unacceptable items include appliances, batteries and light bulbs. The collected electronics are recycled domestically using the strictest industry and environmental standards available. Also, as part of the recycling process, it fully erases data on electronics, thereby ensuring highest levels of data security.

About Electronic Recyclers International (ERI)

Founded in 2002, ERI is the leading recycler of e-waste in the U.S. The Fresno, California-headquartered ERI is licensed to de-manufacture and recycle televisions, computer monitors, computers and other types of electronic equipment. ERI processes more than 250 million pounds of electronic waste annually at its locations in California, North Carolina, Washington, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts and Texas. ERI operates the largest, most efficient and highest-capacity shredder in North America.