New York State E-Waste Laws

It has been just over a year since the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Electronic Equipment Reuse and Recycling Act (EERRA) went into full effect. And starting on January 1, 2015, it will actually be illegal for New York residents to throw personal electronics like televisions, stereos, cell phones, computers, and other devices into the regular trash. So, we thought it important to review the New York State e-waste laws so our readers can better understand what’s expected of them and how they can comply with these new laws.

What Does the EERRA Require?

The New York Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act states that every electronics manufacturer in the state must provide free collection and recycling of electronic waste to consumers and most businesses. Some businesses, such as for-profit businesses with 50 or more full-time employees and non-profit corporations with 75 or more full-time employees may still be charged for the e-waste recycling services.

According to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the following equipment is covered under the new e-waste law:

• Computers (including laptops, desktops, tablets and e-readers)
• Televisions
• Cathode ray tubes
• Small scale servers
• Computer peripherals (including any cable, cord, or wiring permanently affixed to or incorporated into the computer peripheral.)
• Monitors
• Electronic keyboards
• Electronic mice or similar pointing devices
• Facsimile machines, document scanners, and printers (only those intended for use with a computer and weighing less than 100 lbs.)
• Small electronic equipment (including any cable, cord, or wiring permanently affixed to or incorporated into the small electronic equipment.)
• VCRs
• Digital video recorders
• Portable digital music players
• DVD players (including projectors with DVD player capabilities intended for home-use)
• Digital converter boxes
• Cable or satellite receivers (including digital media receivers)
• Electronic or video game consoles (including both handheld devices and those intended for use with a video display device)

Since technology is always changing, some electronic equipment may still be covered yet not be listed above. If you are unsure whether or not your equipment needs to be recycled in accordance with the EERRA, please contact the DEC at 518-402-8706.

How to Recycle Your Electronics in New York

It is important to note that not all equipment manufacturers will accept every brand of electronics for recycling. Some will only collect their own brand of equipment, however; there are certain considerations in this respect. For instance, if you purchased a new piece of equipment to replace an older one, then you can take the older equipment to be recycled by the manufacturer of your new equipment.

In order to find out where you can take your electronics, you can visit the Department of Environmental Conservation’s website for locations, phone numbers, and manufacturer brand information for registered manufacturers in the state of New York.

Once you find the phone number or website for the recycling program you need, simply call them or visit the website for a detailed explanation of how to use their free recycling services.

Liquid Technology Offers E-Waste Recycling for Businesses

If your company is a large corporation and you need a cost-effective solution for your electronic equipment recycling, Liquid Technology can help. We are ISO 14001 certified, a member of NAID® and an e-Steward Enterprise. Our e-waste recycling disposal services fully comply with all EPA guidelines so you can rest assured knowing your company is always protected and operating in accordance with the current New York State e-waste recycling laws.