On the Sunday prior to Barak Obama’s historic 2008 election, a personals/editorial column I wrote about recycling electronic waste was published in Buffalo News. I couldn’t have paid for such prime placement—imagine how many eyes were turned to that Sunday’s “Viewpoints” section.
My article recaped personal experiences recycling electronics at an Erie County-sponsored event. Nearly two years have passed since my voluntary participation in e-cycling, and now New York State has made it law. Click here for the full details on the new legislation or read the bill in its entirety here. While it is phased in over several years, the new provisions start April 1 (if the state legislature isn’t fooling us—something Albany’s known to do!) of next year.
I guess it all goes back to my theory of common-sense solutions to reduce waste and inefficiency. I’ve said it before: I’m certainly no Six Sigma Greenbelt (or any belt for that matter!), but dumping electronic equipment in the trash just seems so senseless to me. It's especially true when you consider how much e-refuse we create, how toxic it is, and how accessible e-cycling has become. I cringe whenever there's an old CRT television out at the curb.
For a changeNew York's legislature has pleased me, and I hope other states will follow suit. After all, recycling electronics should be easier than having to wait in long lines at county-sponsored electronic dumping events. Even worse is having to pay a recycler a disposal fee to unload your old computer. On this one, it seems New York acted in the interest of common sense solutions.
Also interesting: a summary of the NY Senate's version (S6047A)
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