New York City Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty announced yesterday the launch of e-cycleNYC, a new residential electronics recycling program in partnership with Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation’s leading recycler of electronic waste. The e-cycleNYC program is one of several green initiatives ERI is working with New York City to provide to residents, and will enable NYC apartment buildings the opportunity to participate in an ongoing free electronic waste pick up and recycling services.
The goal of e-cycleNYC is to make electronics recycling as easy as possible for NYC residents, many of whom live in apartment buildings and can’t readily transport TVs and other large electronics to drop-off events or retail take-back programs. The in-building service that will be provided by e-cycleNYC and ERI to buildings with 10 or more units represents the most comprehensive electronics recycling program offered by any municipality in the country.
Depending on the size and type of building, a variety of service options will be available including storage bins, room clean-outs, and building events. Buildings, management companies, or residents that want to express their interest in the program and learn more about electronics recycling in NYC, can visit www.nyc.gov/ecycle.
In addition, ERI will be NYC’s vendor that will accept electronics from any NYC resident at Sanitation’s annual SAFE Disposal Events. At these events, which are held in each borough, NYC residents can discard unwanted harmful products, including electronics.
“It’s a tremendous honor and privilege for ERI to be partnering with the great City of New York and providing responsible, effective recycling of its electronic waste for the next fifteen years,” said John Shegerian, Chairman and CEO of ERI. “As someone who was born and raised in New York City, it’s a humbling and rewarding experience to be able to help the city do the right thing and collect and recycle its e-waste — the fastest growing waste stream in the world today – and keep toxic electronics out of New York landfills!”
“Recycling electronic equipment keeps harmful materials out of NYC’s waste stream and the environment,” said Commissioner Doherty. “While safe to use, electronics often contain lead, mercury, and other hazardous materials and in fact make up the largest and fastest growing component of the hazardous materials entering our waste stream.”
When choosing a partner, New York City required that all materials be handled in an environmentally responsible manner, which ensured that none of the electronics accepted would be landfilled or exported illegally. It is for this reason that Sanitation selected ERI to manage the new e-cycleNYC program and other initiatives. Through its agreements with many electronics manufacturers, ERI domestically recycles approximately 200 million pounds of electronics annually. All seven of its processing facilities comply with the strictest industry and environmental standards available.