Electronics Industry Sues to Stop NYC Recycling Law



Hundreds more trucks on city streets. Needless traffic congestion. Unnecessary air and noise pollution.

Those are the predicted consequences of a new law in New York City, according to electronics manufacturers. The Consumer Electronics Association and the Information Technology Industry Council said they filed a legal challenge against the law, which takes effect at the end of this month and requires that manufacturers provide free, door-to-door electronics collection to residents.

CEA and ITI warn that the change will cost manufacturers more than $200 million a year.

“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,” ITI President/CEO Dean Garfield stated.

They warned of an “enormous financial burden of door-to-door collection” that would force electronics companies out of the city or into bankruptcy.

“Despite the fact that most manufacturers do not have a corporate presence in New York City nor the infrastructure to provide direct collection services to residents, the city’s regulations place the entire cost of collecting and recycling old electronics products on manufacturers, including hundreds of U.S. companies whose products are shipped into the City by distributors.”

“There is a better way to achieve the common goal of an effective recycling program,” Garfield said.