BILL NUMBER: S7941
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to recy-
cling of electronic products
 
PURPOSE:
To require manufacturers to describe the outreach programs they under-
take to facilitate the recycling of electronic products.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the environmental conservation law to require that
manufacturers describe the public education and outreach steps they have
taken regarding electronics recycling.
Section 2 requires manufacturers to include more convenient methods of
recycling e-waste based upon the number of people a location serves.
Section 3 clarifies that manufacturers are responsible for all costs of
implementing electronic waste acceptance programs.
Section 4 permits e-waste collection site operators to report manufac-
turers that are not complying with the law and request the DEC to inves-
tigate these claims.
Section 5 amends the environmental conservation law to require e-waste
recycling facilities to have a list of whether the facilities are
located in the state, and provide the department all records of the
outreach program materials.
Section 6 states the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Electronic waste recycling is a valuable part of environmental steward-
ship. Electronic products contain many non-biodegradable substances and
other toxic parts. By diverting these products from landfills and
reclaiming what can be reclaimed and isolating the toxic elements, enti-
ties can limit the exposure to pollutants that result from throwing old
cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions and computers into the garbage.
This is why New York implemented the Electronic Equipment Recycling and
Reuse Act, which requires electronics manufacturers to recycle e-waste.
However, insufficient involvement from the manufacturers and lack of
fixed collection centers has caused instability in the electronics recy-
cling market for counties and local governments. Localities are there-
fore absorbing the costs of this program when it is the responsibility
of the manufacturers to absorb the end of life cost of e-waste.
This legislation seeks to improve upon the program by addressing the
needs of consumers and municipalities. First, the mail-back recycling
program has proven to be unrealistic and inconvenient. Consumers are not
utilizing it to recycle their large electronic waste, like televisions.
The bill eliminates this option and instead creates a comprehensive
system that ensures people have access to convenient drop-off locations
or collection events. The legislation also helps stakeholders become
more aware of their responsibilities under the recycling law and will
also expand awareness. Further, by improving upon the reporting require-
ments, manufacturers and recyclers will have the incentive to conduct
outreach for the programs and therefore promote lasting cultural know-
ledge of e-waste recycling. Lastly, this bill will allow the state to
better understand the role out-of-state manufacturers play in the recy-
cling process and address those concerns as appropriate.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-2022: S1095/A4500 - Died in Environmental Conservation
2020: S8480/A10662 - Died in Rules/Died in Environmental Conservation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a
law.

Statutes affected:
S7941: 27-2605 environmental conservation law, 27-2605(1) environmental conservation law, 27-2603 environmental conservation law