US$ 3 million grant for New York’s e-cycling

United States – The US Environmental Protection Fund has awarded the state of New York a US$ 3 million grant for e-scrap recycling. State officials say the money will help reduce ‘€˜recent and unexpected’€™ costs faced by municipalities when collecting and recycling discarded consumer electronics such as computers and televisions.

The sum forms part of the 2017 budget for New York, whose residents have been required by law to recycle e-scrap to prevent soil and water contamination since January last year.

Meanwhile, a study published by interest group Transform Don’t Trash reveals that New York City’s commercial recycling rate is 19%, which is well below the national average of 34%.

Restaurants, offices and businesses in the Big Apple send an estimated 2 million tons of commercial waste to landfills and incinerators every year. For residential waste at least, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio has pledged 90% diversion from landfill by 2030 by increasing drop-off locations, safe disposal events and mail-back programmes.

A special free-of-charge e-scrap programme called E-cycle NYC currently handles the growing electronics waste stream for residential apartments throughout the city in partnership with Electronics Recyclers International Inc. Large household appliances, batteries and light bulbs are exempt from the scheme.