Environmental Leader

As the electronics industry continues its lawsuit against New York City’s e-waste recycling law, a number of state and local government representatives have signed a letter accusing the electronics industry of trying to usurp state rights. The letter was organized by the Electronics Takeback Coalition.

The Consumer Electronic Association and the Information Technology Industry Council months ago filed a lawsuit against the New York City e-recycling law (PDF), calling it unconstitutional. The law mandates that manufacturers provide free, door-to-door electronics collection to city residents.

Oral arguments in the challenge are expected to begin in late December, according to a press release. Here are some of the filings from the lawsuit.

So far, 19 states have passed producer responsibility laws for electronics: Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The letter to the Consumer Electronic Association and the Information Technology Industry Council is signed by representatives from 18 states, many of whom signed on to the states’ original legislative efforts.