February 20, 2008
An attempt to bring legislation obliging manufacturers to recycle waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in New York, has been opposed by the citys mayor.
While the City Council has passed a bill which, like the EUs WEEE directive, follows the principle of "polluter pays", Mayor Bloomberg has said that he will veto the bill when it comes before him for approval.
And, if the City Council overturns his veto, Mr Bloomberg said he would refuse to enforce the law.
According to the AP news agency, the city itself currently foots the bill for the disposal of over 25,000 tonnes of WEEE.
Those costs have been passed over to producers, importers and distributors of electronic and electrical equipment within the EU, but Mr Bloomberg refuses to do the same.
He used his Friday radio show to say that placing responsibility on manufacturers was an unfair burden.
The EUs WEEE legislation became a law at the beginning of last year, though firms were given until midway through the year to prepare themselves for full compliance.
However, awareness of the legislation, including how businesses and consumers can participate is not yet widespread.
Rapid Electronics are one of the UKs leading suppliers of electronic components, electrical products, and industrial supplies to the Assembly Manufacturer sector.
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