NEW YORK -- A federal court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed last July by several electronics industry associations against the New York City electronics waste recycling law.

The case was rendered moot when the New York legislature passed a statewide e-waste bill that pre-empted the city's law. That bill was signed into law by Gov. David Paterson on May 28. Both the state and city laws hold manufacturers responsible for paying for the collection and recycling of old electronics.

Last year, the Consumer Electronics Association and Information Technology Industry Council filed suit to block the law, claiming it was unconstitutional.

The case challenged the city's constitutional right to establish producer responsibility for recycling their old products. The city countered that the new regulations put the onus on the city to collect old products from residents' homes. The city rule required manufacturers to meet collection goals and provide convenient collection.

• Prev
• Next