NEW YORK TIMES: WHAT TO DO ABOUT ELECTRONIC WASTE?

New York Times
March 8, 2008
Letter to the Editor: What To Do About Electronic Waste?
By Rick Goss, ITI

"A Hazardous Afterlife" (editorial, Feb. 25) provides a misguided view of the electronics recycling challenge.

You state, ''The problem can be controlled, but only if everyone commits to recycling.'' But the e-waste bill proposed by the New York City Council contradicts this principle. It directs manufacturers, which rely on a network of distributors and retailers, to single-handedly solve the challenge.

This will yield a system that is less convenient for residents, is more expensive for manufacturers and results in higher product prices.

The measure also mandates arbitrarily high performance standards, and imposes steep penalties on manufacturers that cannot meet them.

Manufacturers cannot compel consumers to turn in private property, and this onerous provision has led the mayor's office to describe the approach as unconstitutional.

We applaud Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg for his recognition of the fundamental flaws in the bill. Manufacturers are willing to play our part in product recovery, and we will continue working with city officials on a more equitable solution.