E-Waste Override
May 14th, 2008
The bill does not cover cell phones as was originally — and incorrectly — reported in this post. Disposal of cell phones, according to a spokeswoman for Councilmember de Blasio, are already covered by state law. Thanks to a reader for drawing this our attention!
In a rare disagreement with the mayor, the New York City Council today overrode his veto of a bill that would require electronic manufacturers to meet certain benchmarks in recycling their discarded products. The override — by a 43-3 vote — was the latest development in the city’s efforts to deal with what bill sponsor Bill de Blasio has described as a “tsunami” of electronic waste.
Earlier the council and the mayor agreed on a measure to establish a recycling program for old televisions, computers and the like. But they disagreed over a bill that would require manufacturers to meet certain benchmarks. The administration has argued the benchmark would unfairly penalize businesses if they’re customers don’t recycle. But at the council meeting de Blasio argued the requirement is essential.
“Performance standards,” he said, “make the industry move forward and recycle and make greener products.”
At the press conference prior to the meeting, both de Blasio and Council Speaker Christine Quinn acknowledged that the administration would almost certainly not enforce the measure, despite the override. They said environmental groups might seek to challenge that inaction in the courts or that a new mayor — and there’s almost certain to be one in January 2010 — might take a more kindly view of the measure.
By Gail Robinson on May 14, 2008, 5:01 pmIn category: Environment
Recommend this entry via: stumble upon | digg | del.icio.us |





