Groups Call on NYS Legislature to Prepare for Onslaught of Electronic Waste on Eve of Digital TV Switch

• by Environmental Advocates of New York

ALBANY, NY (06/11/2009)(readMedia)-- On the eve of the official switch from analog to digital television broadcasts on Friday, June 12th, environmental groups called on the New York State Legislature to pass legislation that will require manufacturers of TVs, computers, printers and other electronic waste, known as "e-waste," to take back their products and responsibly recycle them. Both houses, as well as Governor David Paterson, have proposed fixes to the growing e-waste problem.

"Tens of millions of toxic TVs are poised to enter New York's landfills," said Kate Sinding, Natural Resources Defense Council. "Without policy in place requiring the manufacturers of electronic equipment to take back and recycle at least 60 percent of the TVs and computers they sell, the burden of handling this waste and the hazardous chemicals it contains will continue to fall on the shoulders of local government and the taxpayers."

"Regardless of who's in charge of the New York State Senate, Albany leaders need to address the toxic legacy-to-be of the digital TV conversion before our landfills and dumps are overloaded," said Saima Anjam of Environmental Advocates of New York.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there are approximately 99.1 million television sets in American homes. The anticipated switch from analog to digital TV broadcasts on June 12th could potentially encourage millions of consumers to discard their old television sets and buy new ones. By law, manufacturers are not obligated to collect the electronics they sell in New York State, although New York City has enacted an e-waste law that has yet to take effect.

"E-waste is the fastest growing part of the solid waste stream and a documented health hazard that requires attention. New York should hold manufacturers accountable for their products," said Bobbi Chase Wilding of Clean New York. "The more responsibility electronics manufacturers have for recycling their products, the more motivated they will be to design products that are durable, easy to recycle and less toxic."

Computer monitors and older TV picture tubes contain on average five pounds of lead and require special handling upon disposal. These items are often riddled with toxics and known carcinogens such as chromium, cadmium, mercury, beryllium, nickel, zinc and brominated flame retardants. When electronics are not disposed or recycled properly, they pose a threat to public health and the environment. Furthermore, reducing and recycling the raw materials in many electronics conserves natural resources and reduces air and water pollution.

The State Legislature is currently considering legislation that would require electronics manufacturers in New York to collect and recycle or reuse their products at the end of their useful lives. E-waste laws in Washington, Minnesota and Oregon have achieved collection rates, or "performance standards," of 63 to 68 percent. Other states, such as California and Maine, that are home to more established e-waste collection programs, show even stronger results in recent years.

"Passing a New York bill with strong performance standards will enable our state to join the leaders and prevent millions of pounds of electronic waste from heading to landfills and incinerators," says Barbara Warren of Citizens' Environmental Coalition.

According to the EPA more than two million tons of electronics were discarded nationwide in 2005, with less than 15 percent recycled; the balance ends up in landfills or incinerators jeopardizing the safety of New York's air, land and water. That same year, an estimated 130,000 computers were discarded daily. Adding to the rising flood of e-waste, are the estimated hundreds of millions of pieces of electronics stockpiled by consumers and businesses, waiting to enter the waste stream. Such waste products include desktop and laptop computers, computer monitors, printers, various types of television sets, and other items. Rapid changes in technology are also adding to the rising volume of e-waste every day.

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