Re-introduction of WEEE legislation in New York
21-MAR-2008
Progress has been made on legislation to address New York's waste electrical and electronic equipment. This attracted a variety of feedback.
New York's Mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg, commented: 'My Administration and the Council share the same goal of ensuring that thousands of tonnes of electronic waste are recycled instead of thrown into landfills, and we largely agree on how to achieve it. We are separating the issue into two bills so we can move forward on the broad areas where we have reached consensus, instead of letting our differences stop all progress. This is the best solution for our City and our environment.'
Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn added: 'We're proud to have reached an agreement with the Mayor to create and quickly implement a comprehensive electronic-waste recycling programme for New York City. While we are pleased to have reached this agreement, the Council still believes that enforceable collection standards must be a part of any e-waste programme. Therefore, we will be simultaneously passing legislation to create those standards. But we will not let that delay us in implementing an effective programme and allowing electronics to continue to pile up in our homes, or pollute our air and water.'
Council Member Bill de Blasio, Lead Sponsor of E-Waste Legislation, remarked 'I am proud that we have reached an agreement with Mayor Bloomberg on my electronic recycling legislation. This is a major step forward in confronting the growing problem of toxic electronic waste which is harming our environment and our communities. We are pleased that the programme can now be implemented. We continue to believe that performance standards are critical to ensuring that the programme is successful, and look forward to working with the Mayor, the Speaker and the rest of the Council to see those standards implemented in the programme.'
And Sanitation and Solid Waste Management Committee Chair Michael E. McMahon concluded 'This compromise by the Speaker, the Council and the Mayor is both insightful and enlightened. We will eliminate tonnes of toxic materials from going to our landfills and incinerators, we will be catalyzing the reuse of natural resources and we will be saving the city money.'
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