New York City is launching an electronics recycling program aimed at residents of apartments, who have a traditionally low rate of recycling.
The program is a partnership with Electronic Recyclers International, the largest privately held electronics recycler in the country. New York City officials claim the e-cycleNYC program will be “the most comprehensive electronics recycling program offered by any municipality in the country.”
The program is open to apartment buildings with more than 10 units. Those apartments can voluntarily sign up to have a collection point or specific collection days. When the bins are full, workers from ERI will pick them up.
“I believe it will be massively successful,” said John Shegerian, president and CEO of ERI. “The collection events we did for them in the past were very successful.”
ERI won a competitive bidding process for the 15-year contract.
While many stores have free drop off for computers and some televisions, those living in apartments may have a hard time transporting large electronics to those locations. The city believes the electronics recycling rate in the city falls below state averages because of that reason.
Shegerian said in the next 120 days, the company plans to open a transfer station in New York, with a location still to be determined. The company is headquartered in Fresno, Calif., and has seven facilities in seven different states, all of which are both R2 and e-Stewards certified. The company has a branch office in New York City, but the closest processing facility is in Holliston, Mass.
Shegerian said once sorted at the transfer station, most of the materials will likely head to Holliston, Mass., to be processed. Some material may also go to the company’s Plainfield, Ind., facility.
The CEO said he’s seen a real change in attitude about recycling, and e-waste specifically over the last decade.
“The excitement we see and the welcome we get is much different than it was in 2004,” he said. “It’s open arms and a warm hug, and ‘How can we partner to help make a difference?’ “
The change makes sense, because creating programs like these makes for good politics and tangible evidence that something is being done, Shegerian said.
“I’m starting to see that if you’re a Democrat or a Republican, it doesn’t matter anymore,” he said. “Everyone wants to drink clean water, breathe clean air and do right by the environment. E-waste is just one slice of that pie.”
Shegerian said that wave of change is happening throughout the country.
“Regardless of what side of the political fence they sit on, they are getting involved,” he said. “I’m starting to see it more than ever before, which gives me a lot of hope.”
The program in New York City is in its infancy, with the city doing some outreach to sign up apartments.
Once that happens, collections will begin, and Shegerian said he expects that to happen in 60 to 90 days.
“It’s a rolling program, and that’s great so people don’t have to sign up today,” he said.
Officials in New York City said the recycling of electronic equipment helps keep harmful materials out of the city’s waste stream and environment.
The program is just one of several initiatives launched since Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a desire to increase the city’s recycling rate. The city has also started a pilot composting program for apartments and will have a pilot community for composting collections of single-family homes. The city also expanded the various plastics it collects at the curb.
Shegerian said he hopes the program in New York City will inspire others to adopt similar collection.
“And it doesn’t matter whether or not they choose us [as the recycler],” he said. “If the ocean goes up, all of the boats are going to rise. And it’s great for our society.”