NEW YORK CITY – Struggling for ways to handle more than 90,000 tons of electronics products waste each year, the New York City Council has approved a bill that would fine anyone $100 who trashes unwanted electronics. With recycling of electronics mandatory, manufacturers would be obliged to take back products – even those of others, including defunct companies. But a showdown with Mayor Michael Bloomberg is likely looming, as the mayor is expected to veto the measure. 

If the bill becomes law, the city’s voluntary programs would be swapped for ones run by Sony, Dell and others that could include at-home pickups, mail and in-store returns, and neighborhood collections.
 
Manufacturers could select a preferred program, said the council, and the companies would have to meet mandatory standards to avoid fines.
 
The city council said New Yorkers purchase more than 90,000 tons of electronics products annually, with most ending up in the trash.
 
However, according to published reports, Mayor Bloomberg will not support mandatory thresholds. While the administration supports “e-recycling,” this bill has “untested and arbitrary industry performance standards, which we will not support,” said John Gallagher, a Bloomberg spokesman. “These standards penalize manufacturers for the actions of customers, which we believe is unconstitutional.”
 
The bill passed 47-3, but the mayor is expected to veto the measure. However, the overwhelming backing in the council could override the veto, or both sides could concede certain aspects of the bill.
 
New York would become the first major city in the U.S. with an electronics recycling law that focuses on manufacturers. Ten states have earlier approved like measures.

Manufacturers would start receiving electronics for recycling in 2009, under the proposed law. Beginning in 2010, fines for uncooperative city residents would take effect. By 2012, manufacturers would have to amass enough old electronics to amount to 25% of the average weight of equipment sold in the city during the prior three years; in 2015, it would increase to 45%, and by 2018, 65%.
 
Manufacturers would be fined $50,000 for each percentage point below those minimums.
 
During the first two years, manufacturers would have to accept only their own goods. But, as of 2011, it would be mandatory for companies to accept other manufacturers’ products or face a $2,000 fine for each item refused.
 
Originally, manufacturers objected to this recycling bill three years ago. The council has since lessened standards and made other modifications.
 

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