Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces $3 million is available from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) in grants to assist municipalities in New York state with recent, unexpected costs of collection and recycling of eligible electronic wastes. New York State consumers are required to recycle electronic waste, such as computers, keyboards, televisions and small electronic equipment, in an environmentally responsible manner. These grants, part of the most recent state budget鈥檚 $300 million investment in the EPF, are meant to mitigate growing unexpected financial costs for municipalities so they can recycle electronic waste efficiently and sustainably.
鈥淣ew York State is a leader in protecting the environment and promoting sustainability, and the responsible recycling of electronic waste is an essential component of these efforts,鈥� Cuomo said. 鈥淭his funding will provide resources across the state to ensure cleaner communities for all.鈥�
The $300 million bump for the Environmental Protection Fund is the highest level in the fund鈥檚 history, and an increase of $138 million since Cuomo took office. Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said the EPF funding will provide local governments the support and flexibility they need to address e-waste 鈥淕overnor Cuomo recognizes the importance of New York鈥檚 e-waste recycling laws to help protect our environment,鈥� Seggos said. 鈥淭he governor also recognizes the challenges local governments face in addressing e-waste in their communities.鈥�
This grant program will run through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation鈥檚 Household Hazardous Waste State Assistance Program. Municipalities will be eligible for reimbursement of up to 50 percent of eligible expenses incurred for collection and recycling of e-waste between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017.
Senator Tom O鈥橫ara, Chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee said the decision to extend the funding was 鈥渙ne of the most important actions we鈥檝e ever taken in New York government for the benefit of local economies, environments and taxpayers.鈥�
鈥淭he recycling of electronic waste has become extremely burdensome and costly for local governments and property taxpayers,鈥� O鈥橫ara said. 鈥淭his new funding will help reduce this burden immediately and we need to keep working to address this challenge on a long-term basis through regulatory reform.鈥�
Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation, said these grants came about as a direct result of a hearing held by the Environmental Conservation Committee, during which municipalities raised concerns the cost of effective E-waste disposal, as well as the manufacturer鈥檚 compliance with the law.
Peter A. Baynes, Executive Director of the New York State Conference of Mayors, said he believes this funding will improve the quality of life for New Yorkers. 鈥淎t a time when cities and villages are being forced to make very difficult choices, this $3 million for e-waste recycling will help to eliminate one of those choices, allowing them to be environmentally responsible by ensuring that electronics are properly disposed of within their communities,鈥� Baynes said.
Stephen J. Acquario, Executive Director of the New York State Association of Counties, said, 鈥淟ocal governments and their taxpayers have been picking up the cost of disposal for electronic waste. This is not the intent of the present law. I commend Governor Cuomo for dedicating state resources to help ease the burden on local taxpayers and encourage all parties to implement an improved disposal system in New York State.鈥�
To read the full story, visit .