New NY State Law Requires Recycling Of Most Home, Personal Electronics

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York State now has new rules for the disposing of electronics.

Starting Thursday, state law will now mandate recycling of nearly all home and personal electronics.

The electronics covered in the new law include computers, televisions, fax machines, VCRs, DVD players, printers/scanners, video game consoles, MP3 players, tablets and small servers. The law does not include appliances, batteries or light bulbs.

The fine for improper disposal of electronic devices starts at $100 per incident.

"This new law will help keep electronics and their potentially harmful components, out of our waste stream," said New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. "By recycling electronics, New Yorkers can help decrease disposal costs and protect the environment."

Required recycling has already been the law in some cities, including White Plains.

"We get so much e-waste that we fill two (roll-off dumpsters) a week; eight a month," said White Plains Department of Public Works Commissioner Bud Nicoletti.

In New York City, some apartment buildings have "e-cycling" stations in place where residents can drop off unwanted electronics. Major retailers such as Staples and Best Buy are also drop-off points.

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