NYC E-Waste Recycling Program Reached Major Milestone

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The electronics recycling program in New York City hit a major milestone. The ecycleNYC residential e-waste collection and disposal program has achieved collection and recycling of more than 20 million pounds of electronic waste from city residents. Over 4.6 million New Yorkers currently have access to the public-private collaboration between the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and ERI.

John Shegerian, Co-Founder and Executive Director of ERI noted that the partnership has achieved a groundbreaking accomplishment by collecting more than 20 million pounds of used electronic items for responsible and effective recycling. By doing so, it has helped to keep millions of pounds of toxic electronics, possibly containing materials including lead, mercury and cadmium, away from landfills. ERI is highly honored to partner with DSNY and manufacturers of electronic devices, he added.

Meantime, Kathryn Garcia, Commissioner, DSNY thanked the partners for helping the city divert huge volumes of electronic waste. The city’s innovative and comprehensive electronics recycling program continues to serve as an example for the whole nation, she said. Kathryn also added that DSNY will strive hard to ensure continued growth of the program.

The DSNY had announced mid-October this year, expansion of e-waste curbside collection pilot program beyond Staten Island and north Brooklyn to include south Brooklyn and west Queens.

As per rough estimates, an average American household owns around 28 electronic devices.