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New York Enters the Age of Product Stewardship
As the New York Product Stewardship Council (NYPSC) celebrates our first anniversary, we also
celebrate the passing of New York State's first two product stewardship laws, the Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act (E-Waste), and the Rechargeable Battery bill. New
York now joins 32 other states that have enacted laws establishing
manufacturers' roles in the collection, recycling and reuse of their products
at the end of their useful life. From California to Maine, product stewardship
is catching on throughout the U.S. as state and local government officials,
solid waste and recycling associations, manufacturers, environmentalists and
other stakeholders work together to pass legislation to relieve local
government's responsibility for the expensive management of product waste.
From these first two bills
alone, local governments in New York State stand to save millions of dollars in
waste management costs, while we protect the environment, conserve resources,
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and spur manufacturers to greener design. Seven New York counties and organizations have now passed resolutions in
support of statewide product stewardship. The New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) has included EPR as a central policy in the
10-year Draft State Solid Waste Management Plan. Nationally,
many associations, including the U.S.
Conference of Mayors, National
League of Cities, National Association of Counties, and the
Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)
have endorsed the principles of product stewardship. Please stay with us
as we help bring product stewardship to New York State. Visit our website for more information, for model local resolutions, or to schedule a free
presentation in your county or city.
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New York's Electronic Waste Law
New York's new e-waste law, considered one of the
strongest in the country, covers a broad range of products, sets mandatory collection
goals for manufacturers along with incentives for surpassing the goals, and
guarantees convenient collection with no fee to consumers. The law takes effect January 1, 2011, when registrations are due. On April 1, 2011, manufacturers will be required to have programs in place to
conveniently collect their used electronics from consumers across the state. We
can expect many transitions in how e-waste is managed in New York between now
and then, as well as the emergence of new opportunities for collaboration. Municipalities, existing
New York State e-waste handlers, and manufacturers of covered equipment can find information, guidance, and FAQs on the new law on the DEC website. A general fact sheet summarizing the law is available from the NYPSC. We will continue to bring
you new information and resources as stakeholders work together to make this
new program a success.
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SWANA-NY Fall Tech Session on New E-Waste Law
The New York Chapter of SWANA is holding its Fall
Technical Session in Albany on November 3. The session will deal with the
new e-waste take-back legislation, and will include presentations from DEC, the
electronics industry, retailers, and interest groups. Details on
implementation, such as the types of items covered by the law, possible
drop-off locations, expected impacts on municipal programs, retailer
involvement, record keeping requirements, and lessons for other stewardship
initiatives are among the topics to be addressed. This timely session is
expected to draw considerable interest from both the public and private sectors
as stakeholders prepare for the April 1 deadline. See the Chapter's
website for more information including registration details.
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E-Waste Recycling Standards
New York's e-waste law
requires that manufacturers take back a certain amount of used electronics from
consumers each year (measured in weight and allocated among the manufacturers
based on their market share). There is a separate complementary requirement
that convenient collection be made available in all parts of the state.
The law also requires
that manufacturers submit an annual report indicating by whom, where, and using
what methods their collected waste is recycled. Importantly, states lack legal
authority to mandate that collected e-waste be recycled in any particular place
or manner. Yet the problem of e-waste export to developing countries--where it is often handled in
dangerous, environmentally unsound ways-- is well-documented. Municipalities concerned
with assuring waste collected from their residents is handled appropriately
can, through their contractual relationships with manufacturers and recyclers,
require compliance with sound recycling methods. The e-Stewards® program is a new, voluntary certification program that sets
rigorous standards for e-waste handlers to ensure that e-waste is properly
dismantled and recycled and not exported abroad. Requiring compliance with
e-Stewards® or equivalent standards can help municipalities ensure their
residents' e-waste is managed in a safe and sound way.
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Battery Bill Update
The rechargeable battery bill A6813 passed the Assembly and
Senate, and it is expected that it will soon be signed by Governor David Paterson.
Under the
legislation, rechargeable battery manufacturers
will be required to arrange for and finance the recycling of all used
rechargeable batteries collected by retailers. Retailers will be required to post in-store signs advising consumers
of the disposal ban and of the opportunity to recycle batteries at their
locations. This law adds rechargeable
batteries to a growing list of products consumers can return to retailers for
recycling or proper management once they are no longer useful.
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Financial Benefits from EPR Programs
By passing EPR
legislation on electronics, New York State has the potential to save up to $41
million in direct financial benefits and increased service benefits, with
savings of another $4,600,000 from the rechargeable battery bill. Passing
additional EPR legislation in New York State can reap additional financial
benefits for local governments. Visit the Product Stewardship Institute website
for an online calculator to estimate the potential
financial benefits for your region from passing EPR laws on a range of product
categories. Case studies and fact sheets are also available.
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 Free Product Stewardship Educational Services
All local governments in
New York are now eligible t o receive free product stewardship educational
opportunities from the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI), including a
quarterly newsletter, biweekly email updates, and facilitated webinars on
cutting edge topics. You can also participate in all PSI government strategic
discussions and multi-stakeholder legislative negotiations. Please email Lisa
Gould at PSI [lisa@ProductStewardship.us]
to sign up for this
valuable opportunity!
We thank SWANA-NY, the
New York State Association of Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR), the
Federation of New York Solid Waste Associations, and the New York City
Department of Sanitation for the generous donations that made it possible.
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What You Can Do to Help
*Join our email list. *Forward this newsletter to others. 
*Send letters in support
of product stewardship bills introduced in New York State (we will keep you
informed on all legislation).
*Invite us to speak to
you in your county or city, or to your business, trade, recycling or
environmental group.
*Pass a local resolution.
*Join PSI's national
legislative discussions with industry.
*Donate to the NYPSC.
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Thank you for joining us, as we work to promote product stewardship throughout New York State.
Sincerely,
Katherine Bourbeau
New York Product Stewardship Council
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