Electronic Waste Recycling
COVID-19 Waste and Recyclables Essential Services Statement:
As identified in the Guidance on Executive Order 202.6, essential business or entities that are not required to reduce in-person workforce by 100% include "trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal services." The exclusion includes collection, transportation, processing and disposal activities for any solid wastes, regulated medical waste, hazardous wastes, radioactive wastes and other associated waste categories. This also includes all recyclables including redemption of bottle bill containers. However, these businesses or entities should implement other appropriate social distancing practices whenever and wherever possible. Regulations associated with these activities continue to be in effect and any related questions should be directed to appropriate DEC program staff. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) have both issued guidance associated with the coronavirus and waste management. In general, standard procedures for safe handling of waste should continue to be used. Please contact the Department with any questions at dmm@dec.ny.gov.
NYS consumers are required to recycle many electronic waste items, such as computers, computer peripherals, televisions, small scale servers, and small electronic equipment, etc., in an environmentally responsible manner.
The NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act (Environmental Conservation Law, Article 27, Title 26) requires manufacturers to provide free and convenient recycling of electronic waste to most consumers in the state. Consumers eligible for free and convenient recycling include individuals, for-profit businesses, corporations with less than 50 full time employees, not-for-profit corporations with less than 75 full time employees, not-for-profit corporations designated under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code, schools, or governmental entities located in NYS. For-profit businesses with 50 or more full time employees and not-for-profit corporations with 75 or more full time employees may be charged.
The separate NYS Wireless Telephone Recycling Act (Environmental Conservation Law, Article 27, Title 23*2) requires wireless telephone service suppliers that offer wireless phones for sale, to provide for the free reuse and recycling of up to 10 cell phones from any person or provide for the free shipping of those phones to a recycling program.
How to Recycle Electronic Waste:
- Consumers
Learn how to easily recycle electronic waste for free in NYS.
Requirements for the Act's Regulated Entities:
- Manufacturers of Covered Electronic Equipment
Manufacturers include those who assemble, manufacture, import, and/or own a brand name of CEE that is offered for sale in NYS. - Collectives
Collective electronic waste acceptance programs, or collectives, represent manufacturers, for the purpose of satisfying their electronic waste acceptance program requirements. - Collection Sites
Electronic waste collection sites include fixed or temporary sites (both private and municipal) at which electronic waste is collected from consumers and temporarily stored. - Consolidation Facilities
Electronic waste consolidation facilities organize, categorize and/or consolidate electronic waste before it is transported to a recycling facility. - Recycling Facilities
Electronic waste recycling facilities separate, dismantle or process the materials, components or commodities contained in electronic waste, and prepare them for use or reuse in new products. - Retailers
Retailers sell CEE to consumers in the state through any means, including, but not limited to retail stores, mail, catalogs, the telephone or the internet. Information for retailers operating as wireless telephone service suppliers is also available through this page. - Solid/Hazardous Waste Facilities and Haulers/Transporters
Requirements for solid and hazardous waste facilities and for persons engaged in the collection of waste for delivery to such facilities.
E-waste Rulemaking
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation filed a Notice of Adoption with the New York State Department of State on February 8, 2022, to repeal and replace 6 NYCRR Part 368. The rule develops new regulations for the existing Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act, among other actions. The Notice of Adoption is available in the February 23, 2022, issue of the State Register. The rulemaking documents, including the Assessment of Public Comment are available on the Department's website.
For subpart 368-3, existing registered entities have until January 1, 2023 to comply with any new requirements. The Department is preparing guidance material and will be updating its e-waste recycling program webpages in the coming weeks with further information.
More about Electronic Waste Recycling:
- Recycling Consumer Electronic Waste - E-waste recycling guidance for NYS consumers.
- Covered Electronic Equipment Manufacturer Requirements - Manufacturer requirements under the NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act.
- Collective Electronic Waste Acceptance Program Requirements - Collective requirements under the NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act.
- Electronic Waste Collection Site Requirements - Collection site requirements under the NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act.
- Electronic Waste Consolidation Facility Requirements - Consolidation facility requirements under the NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act.
- Electronic Waste Recycling Facility Requirements - Recycling facility requirements under the NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act.
- Requirements for Retailers of Electronic Equipment - Retailer requirements under the NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act.
- Electronic Waste Requirements for Solid/Hazardous Waste Facilities and Haulers/Transporters - Waste facility and hauler requirements under the NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act.
- Registered Electronic Waste Recycling Facilities - A list of registered electronic waste recycling facilities.
