New York is a step closer to adopting one of the toughest electronics recycling laws in the nation, despite strong objections from manufacturers and mayor Michael R Bloomberg. The city council approved a Bill last week that would impose a $100 fine on anyone who throws an old computer, printer or other electronic gadget into the trashbin. Recycling the electronic waste will become mandatory and manufacturers will be required to take back their own products as well as those made by Companies that have gone out of business. The council estimated that New Yorkers purchase more than 90,000 tonnes of electronic products every year. The gadgets contain hazards like lead and mercury, and most end up in the trash. If the new measure becomes law, the city's voluntary electronics collection and recycling programmes would be replaced by a variety of programmes designed and run by Sony, Dell and other electronics manufacturers. Those efforts could include curbside pickups, returns by mail and neighbourhood collections. Manufacturers could pick the type of recycling programme they preferred, said councilman Bill de Blasio who, with councilman Michael E McMahon, was a prime sponsor of the bill. The Companies would have to take back enough pieces of equipment to meet mandatory tonnage standards set in the bill or face stiff fines. Bloomberg has made it clear that he will not support mandatory thresholds. "The administration supports

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>> it giant, Advanced Micro Devices Inc, has announced a competition on designing sustainable computer labs for use in developing countries. The

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Using microbes in nano-electronics A virus that infects the cowpea plant has been found useful in making tiny electronic devices and biosensors. When ferrocene, an organo-metallic chemical, was

Are mobile phones safe?