Relief For Local Governments Available To Offset Cost of E-Waste

ALBANY – Senator Catharine Young’s (R,C,I- 57th District) initiative to provide grant assistance to municipalities that are dealing with unanticipated costs from the increased collection and recycling of electronic wastes (“e-waste”) was lauded by Governor Cuomo today.

“I am glad Governor Cuomo worked with the Senate to support my e-waste initiative that I inserted in the state budget this year. It is based on legislation that I had previously introduced to provide needed fiscal relief to local governments dealing with the unforeseen costs of recycling e-waste. I have listened to concerns about the unintended costs for municipalities, and that is why I took action,” Senator Young said.

New York State’s “Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act,” which was signed into law in 2010, requires electronic manufacturers to provide free and convenient recycling of e-waste to consumers. However, the cost for municipal waste facilities and non-profits that accept electronic waste, such as old box TVs and old computers was not covered.

“The cost of recycling electronic waste has grown exponentially since the law was put in place, and my local governments have brought this concern to me, because they are being forced to charge residents more, now that their own costs to recycle have grown. I work very hard to be responsive to the concerns of my local officials and the people in my district and this funding will provide much needed relief,” she said.

Municipalities will be able to apply for reimbursement of up to 50 percent of eligible expenses incurred as a result of collection and recycling of e-waste between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017 under the grant program announced today.

To address the problem long-term, Senator Young also sponsors Senate Bill 6532, which would provide municipalities and non-profit locations that accept electronic waste with reimbursement for the cost of collection and recycling electronics, to further promote the safe and efficient recycling and reuse of electronic equipment.

“Responsible stewardship of our environment isn’t possible if people are dumping these hazardous materials without proper disposal methods. By offsetting the costs to consumers and municipal collectors of the e-waste, we encourage more people to responsibly recycle their electronics and promote a healthier environment for years to come,” Senator Young said.

Senator Young has been deeply involved in the issue of responsible e-waste management. She has sponsored numerous “Spring Cleaning E-Recycling” events that partner with local organizations and e-recycler Sunnking to provide opportunities for residents to dispose of their electronic waste at no cost. In April, an event she sponsored with SUNY Fredonia and Time Warner Cable garnered 1,251 vehicles, and eight semi-trailers were filled with broken or outdated electronics that residents wished to recycle.

Municipalities looking to apply for the Electronic Waste Assistance Grants can do so by visiting the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8778.html. The DEC will be accepting applications for funding from October 3 to October 31, 2016.