Industries Challenge NYC Electronics Recycling Law

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Arlington, Va., and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), Washington, have filed a legal challenge against a new law in the City of New York mandating that manufacturers provide free, door-to-door electronics collection to City residents.

“Despite the technology industry’s best efforts to negotiate with New York City officials on a reasonable and effective recycling program, the City is proceeding with plans to impose the most costly, burdensome and environmentally harmful electronics recycling requirements in the world,” says Dean Garfield, president and CEO of ITI. “At this point, we have no option but to file suit to avoid the disastrous environmental and economic consequences of this poorly conceived regulation. There is a better way to achieve the common goal of an effective recycling program.”

In a news release announcing the suit, the two groups claim that as currently configured, the regulation, which is scheduled to go into effect July 31, 2009, “will force hundreds of additional trucks onto city streets, needlessly increasing traffic congestion, air and noise pollution and carbon emissions.”

The costliness of the system was also cited: “Estimates suggest the requirements will cost manufacturers, including many small businesses, more than $200 million annually, resulting in cost increases to consumers and job losses,” according to the two groups.

“Manufacturers recognize that they have a key role in providing recycling opportunities for consumers, and have recycled billions of pounds of electronics through voluntary programs,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. “However, they do not have the only role. The responsibilities and costs for electronics recycling should be shared among all stakeholders, including city and state governments, retailers, recyclers and consumers.”

The CEA (www.CE.org) membership consists of some 2,000 companies in the electronics manufacturing and retailing sector. The ITI bill itself as “the premiere voice, advocate, and thought leader for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry.”